A married couple visiting the area on vacation from Idaho are dead following a motorcycle collision on the Icefields Parkway on July 16 at 12:30 p.m.

Samuel Houston, 71, and Rub Houston, 51, were killed when the motorcycle they were driving ran into the back of an SUV two kilometres south of the Highway 11 junction.

The couple was travelling north on Highway 93 when it struck the SUV, killing them instantly. The SUV was in the left lane with its signal on, preparing to turn into a rest area when the accident occurred. The SUV contained a family visiting from Georgia. The driver of the SUV was taken to Banff Mineral Springs hospital by ambulance, where his minor injuries were treated.

RCMP Clp. Dave Vanden Brink said the motorcycle was travelling close to the speed limit, and the crash is being attributed to driver inattention. He said there was no other signs that Houston was driving in an erratic manner.

“The area of the crash was wide and straight,” he said.

Cpl. Vanden Brink said this is the first fatality of the year on the Icefields Parkway. Despite the accident, the road remained open.

“The area was wide enough that traffic could still get by.”

Lake Louise RCMP is encouraging drivers to pay attention to the road on the tourist highway.

“I encourage drivers to pay attention to their driving and to your surroundings,” said Cpl. Vanden Brink.

According to Lake Louise RCMP, highway conditions were clear at the time of the accident and alcohol was not a factor.