Update: State Police investigate a fatal motorcycle collision in the town of Canton

Update: 

On June 8, 2025, Herbert M. Planty, 44, from Canton, NY, was found at a residence on Emerson Road in the town of Potsdam by the St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department. A multi-agency search resulted in his arrest without incident, and he was transported to SP Canton for processing.

Planty has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injury and death, and he received multiple vehicle and traffic tickets. He was arraigned in the Town of Canton and was remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail, $40,000 bond, or a $200,000 partially secured bond.

The State Police were assisted by the St. Lawrence District Attorney's Office, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Canton Police Department, and Potsdam Police Department.

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On June 3, 2025, at approximately 10:03 p.m., State Police responded to a car-versus-motorcycle collision on Stiles Road in the town of Canton. 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, NY. He was transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

State Police members established a secure perimeter around the scene. Utilized specialty units such as, the Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) for 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, NY. The State Police are requesting assistance from the public to locate Planty for questioning. If anyone has information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the State Police at SP Canton at 315 379-0012.

The State Police were assisted by Canton Fire and Rescue, Potsdam Rescue, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Canton Police Department, and Potsdam Police Department.