The man was a student at the University of Montana, but Saturday afternoon authorities had not yet identified his hometown, said Trooper Philip Smart. The victim's name was not released pending notification of family.
Up 365 Road on the far side of Blue Mountain, the man and three friends were riding four-wheelers and a motorcycle, Smart said. Riding alone, the man tried to make a lefthand turn and failed.
The group was riding some 11.7 miles up the U.S. Forest Service road, an area suitable for recreational vehicles, Smart said. He said he did not believe alcohol was involved in the wreck.
However, Smart said the victim was not wearing a helmet. Trained medical professionals at the scene said they believed authorities never would have had to respond to the wreck had the man worn a helmet, the trooper said. The ATV stayed intact and one of the man's friends drove it away and loaded it onto a truck.
Smart said he just completed a long stint of work in Mineral County. Many people ride ATVs there, but authorities rarely respond to accidents, he said.
“Unfortunately, when we do, it's oftentimes severe,” Smart said.
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