CANTON — State Police responded to a car-versus-motorcycle collision on Stiles Road at approximately 10:03 p.m. June 3.
The investigation revealed that an uninvolved vehicle was traveling north on Stiles Road when the driver noticed a motorcycle behind them and attempted to pass the vehicle while approaching a hillcrest.
At that moment, a Dodge Dakota pickup truck was traveling south on Stiles Road and crested the hill, colliding head-on with the motorcycle.
The motorcyclist was ejected from the bike and sustained severe injuries.
The operator and passenger of the pickup truck exited their vehicle to check on the operator of the motorcycle.
However, the operator of the pickup truck then fled the accident scene into a wooded area.
The operator of the motorcycle was identified as James R. McLean, 41, from Rensselaer Falls.
He was transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he succumbed to his injuries.
State Police members established a secure perimeter around the scene.
Specialty units including the Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the accident scene, and the K9 unit searched the wooded areas.
The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department utilized a drone in an attempt to locate the truck’s operator.
Further investigation has revealed that the operator of the pickup truck is Herbert M. Planty, 44, from Canton.
The State Police are requesting assistance from the public to locate Planty for questioning.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the State Police at SP Canton at 315-379-0012.