A motorcyclist involved in a fatal crash Tuesday on U.S. Highway 160 west of Durango has been identified.

Michael Odell, of Boynton Beach, Florida, 63, was traveling west on Highway 160 when a Jeep Cherokee pulled out in front of him, said La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith.

The Jeep was turning left from Durango Ridge Road to go east on Highway 160 when the driver failed to yield to the approaching Harley-Davidson, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

The Jeep was being driven by Murray Thale, 79, of La Plata County, according to the State Patrol. A citation was issued, but the charges were not immediately available.

Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected. Odell was wearing a helmet.

The crash occurred at 11:27 a.m. just west of Durango West I subdivision and about 8 miles west of the DoubleTree intersection in Durango. The highway was closed for 4½ hours – from 11:45 a.m. to 4:18 p.m. – while law enforcement investigated and cleared the scene.

shane@durangoherald.com