Canadian motorcyclist dies in crash

A 58-year-old Canadian woman was killed and her husband seriously injured in a motorcycle accident around 1 p.m. Saturday along U.S. Highway 2 in the Libby area.

According to information released by the Montana Highway Patrol, Teresa Bessey of Rosetown, Saskatchewan, was riding on a 2000 Honda motorcycle operated by her husband, George, also 58. The Besseys were westbound near the Heritage Museum in the righthand lane when a pickup truck driven by James Mari, 64, of Libby began to slow down in front of them for a turn into the museum parking lot.

The motorcycle began to pass the truck on the righthand shoulder and struck the truck's right front corner as it turned into the parking lot. Witnesses reported that the truck's turn signals and brake lights were functioning.

The motorcycle overturned several times. Teresa Bessey struck a utility pole and died at the scene. Her husband was transported to St. John's Lutheran Hospital where he was reported to be in critical condition. Neither was wearing a helmet.

Mari was not injured in the accident.