Elmo man dies in single-vehicle crash on U.S. 93

An Elmo man is dead following a single-vehicle crash north of Polson.

According to a press release from Lake County Sheriff Don Bell, Olijah Nathaniel James, 22, died Monday from his injuries.

Montana Highway Patrol Sgt. Chan Berry said that James was driving a Nissan XTerra SUV, traveling southbound on U.S. 93 when he lost control on the icy highway and crashed near mile marker 64.

James crossed the center line and his vehicle then propelled to the east side of the highway, where the Nissan then rolled several times, Berry said.

Bell noted in his press release that the Lake County 911 emergency center received a call of the crash at 8:12 a.m.

Berry confirmed that James was not wearing a seatbelt, and drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors. Investigators don’t believe that James was traveling over the speed limit, but was going too fast for weather conditions.

Also assisting at the scene were Polson Rural Fire Department and Polson Ambulance.