Missoula man dies in Lake County crash

A 47-year-old Missoula man is dead after crashing the pickup truck he was driving early Friday near Pablo.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the man was driving a Ford F-250 truck with Idaho plates at a high rate of speed north on U.S. 93 at about 12:31 a.m. when he turned onto Mud Lake Trail.

The truck then left the road on the left side, crashed through a fence and hit a tree before coming to rest on its roof.

The man was later identified by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as Gerad Grayson Kipp.

According to Highway Patrol, Kipp wasn’t wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alcohol and speed are suspected to be factors in the crash.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.