Crash near Lake Blaine claims life of Libby man

Authorities have released the name of a Libby man who died in a traffic crash Friday night near Lake Blaine.

Thirty-eight-year-old Clayton Neff died after his truck hit a tree on Friday night.

According to Montana Highway Patrol, Neff was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on Tavern Lane just northwest of Lake Blaine.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Laramie Stefani said the man was speeding in a 35 mile per hour zone and was not wearing his seat belt. As the truck approached the intersection of Tavern Lane and Mooring Road, the driver failed to negotiate the turn and the vehicle went into a sideway skid. The truck went off Mooring Road and hit a large tree.

Troopers arrived at the scene at 9:08 p.m. and the man was pronounced dead.

Road conditions were bare and dry. Alcohol, drugs and speed are suspected factors in the crash, according to troopers.