Cd'A man identified as fatal ATV crash victim

A Coeur d'Alene man was identified by authorities as the victim in a fatal ATV crash on Tuesday.

Cleo B. "Bud" Dodge, 74, died in the accident near the top of Fourth of July Pass.

According to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, Dodge and three friends were en route to the recreational parking area at the Fourth of July Pass summit on Trail 800 when Dodge, who was the second of the four ATVs, failed to negotiate a turn around the Forest Service gate and crashed into the gate post.

He was pronounced dead at Kootenai Medical Center from massive chest injuries.

"It is believed that due to dust in the air from the first machine as well as Dodge's speed, he was unable to see the gate in time to make the course adjustment that led to the crash," a press release said.

Trail 800 is part of the trail system in North Idaho that is open to ATV and motorcycle operators from March into September. It is closed to all other motor vehicle traffic year-round.