Polson, MT (April 24, 2026) – One man died and another was hurt after two motorcycles crashed on Highway 35 near Polson on Friday, April 24. Both riders were heading southbound when they failed to make a left-hand curve and drifted into a guardrail.
The impact separated both drivers from their motorcycles, and they ended up on the other side of the guardrail. A 58-year-old man from Polson was pronounced dead at the scene. The second rider, a 45-year-old man also from Polson, was taken to the hospital with injuries.
Alcohol is suspected to have been a factor in the crash, though the full circumstances are still being reviewed.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, and our thoughts are with the injured rider as he recovers.
What Are the Risks of Motorcycle Riding on Montana’s Curved Rural Roads?
Curved roads on Montana highways present a unique challenge for motorcyclists, particularly when speed and road conditions are not carefully managed. A curve that appears gradual can demand quick adjustments, and any hesitation or overcorrection can send a rider off course. When two riders are traveling close together, a mistake by one can quickly affect the other.
Alcohol significantly impairs a rider’s ability to judge speed, distance, and the sharpness of turns. On open rural roads like Highway 35 near Polson, there are fewer visual cues to help a rider anticipate what lies ahead. These conditions, combined with the reduced protection motorcycles offer compared to enclosed vehicles, make alcohol-related crashes on Montana roads especially deadly.
