A longtime RCMP officer died Friday evening when his motorcycle left the South Klondike Highway.

Sgt. James Giczi, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene, Yukon coroner Heather Jones said Sunday.

“The deceased had been returning to Whitehorse from a day trip to Skagway with a friend who was riding a separate motorcycle,” Jones said in a statement.

“It appears the fallen rider had just navigated a left turn when his motorcycle left the highway and overturned.”

The coroner’s release says alcohol and road conditions are not believed to be factors in the accident.

It occurred at approximately 6 p.m., just south of the Annie Lake Road.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, and the accident remains under investigation.

The RCMP have not issued a statement.

A forensic specialist who most recently testified last week at the murder trial of accused Edward James Penner, Giczi was decorated for his work with the RCMP.

He was presented with a meritorious service award in 2015 by then-governor general David Johnston in recognition of his contribution to a national data base used to identify tire marks in criminal investigations.

“RCMP Sgt. James Giczi identified the need for a central resource to conduct searches for tire mark matches,” reads the information provided by the governor general’s office at the time of the award.

“Through countless hours of work on his own time, he conceptualized, built and maintained a comprehensive database.

“Thanks to his efforts, the database is now used regularly by the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Sûreté du Québec and other municipal police services.”

Giczi was also well-known as a force in the Whitehorse Oldtimers Hockey League over many years.