An Orcas Island man died on Upper Deer Harbor Road after losing control of a motorcycle he was riding early Saturday morning.

Shannon E. Andersen, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene of the fatal crash. He wore a helmet at the time.

Known by many as “Cowboy,” Andersen was a long-time resident of Orcas Island and a mechanic by trade, according to San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord, whose office doubles as county coroner.

Gaylord said that Andersen was riding a Suzuki 650 belonging to his landlord and that he reportedly was “quite familiar with” operating the motorcycle.

He was entering an S-turn just below Deer Harbor Inn, and less than a mile from home, when he lost control of the motorcycle and struck an alder tree. He died of injuries suffered from the collision with the tree.

Orcas Island Fire and EMS responded to the scene of the crash at about 9:15 a.m. Investigators found no “obvious” sign that alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash and, Gaylord said, Andersen had spoken to people at his home just prior to leaving on the motorcycle.

Results of a toxicology report are expected in about six weeks, he said.

Gaylord said that Andersen’s mother lived and worked on the island for some time before moving more recently to Kettle Falls, Wash. His father and brother live in California. Andersen was never married and has no children.

Although deadly collisions involving vehicles are infrequent in the San Juans, but not rare, Gaylord said that Andersen’s death is the first motorcycle fatality that he has responded to in his 20-plus-year tenure as prosecuting attorney.

He credits local emergency responders for their ability to stabilize the severely injured at the scene and evacuating them to the mainland for treatment for the low number of fatal collisions.