Two motorcycles riding side by side in western Minnesota collided, killing one of the riders and leaving the other fighting for his life, authorities said Monday.

The crash occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. Sunday on County Road 4, northeast of Pelican Rapids, according the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office.

David C. Marvel, 58, of Detroit Lakes, Minn., died in the wreck. Mark A. Kneip, 59, of Glyndon, Minn. was hospitalized in Fargo with life-threatening injuries. Neither had on helmets, the Sheriff's Office said.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the motorcycles were heading west on County Road 4 when one of the riders decided to turn left onto 233rd Avenue, causing the collision. The Sheriff's Office did not disclose which rider made the turn.

There have been at least 45 motorcycle fatalities in Minnesota this year, according to state records. There were 46 for all of last year.