First local rally fatality reported

The first reported local fatal accident of this year’s rally took place on Thursday near Hulett, claiming the life of 18-year-old Gina Schaffer of Minnesota.

According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the incident took place just before 1 p.m. at milepost 17.3 of WY 24.

Schaffer was negotiating a series of curves on her motorcycle when she entered a hard right-hand, downhill curve. Her motorcycle crossed the centerline and impacted the left rear wheels of a commercial vehicle trailer.

According to witness statements, there is a possibility that Schaffer loss steering control before the collision.

The second party involved in the crash was not injured. Schaffer was using a helmet at the time of the incident.