Motorcycle riders suffer broken legs

Two motorcycle riders suffered leg injuries after a deer struck them Sunday afternoon in a remote area east of Libby Dam.

Libby Volunteer Ambulance transported Lance Zitt, 53, and Renee Stern, 42, both of Kalispell, to St. John’s Lutheran Hospital each for a broken leg, according to Joel Sieler of the Montana Highway Patrol.

A deer darted in front of Zitt and Stern as they drove southbound on Wolf Creek Road near mile marker 23. The bike hit the deer head on, causing the animal to spin around and strike their left legs.

The two managed to stay upright on the motorcycle and prevent sustaining any other serious injuries.

A member of their party called 911 at 4:08 p.m., but due to distance, it took about 40 minutes before a sheriff deputy reached the area and 45 minutes before the first ambulance arrived.

“It was pretty remote,” Sieler said, “It was right between the (ambulance) coverage area for Eureka and Libby.”

Sieler, who drove 50 miles from Eureka, arrived after the two ambulances.

Speed and alcohol were not factors in the accident, Sieler said, and the 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle, which had less than 200 miles on it, had no damage at all.