Crash Near Wyoming Rest Area Leaves Motorcyclist Dead, 2 Injured

A motorcyclist is dead after colliding with an SUV in northeast Niobrara County, the Wyoming Highway Patrol says.

The crash happened around 5:21 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, at milepost 195 on U.S. 85 near Mule Creek Junction, about 46 miles north of Lusk or 34 miles south of Newcastle.

According to a fatality crash summary, 73-year-old Florida resident Jospeh Pandolfi was riding south when he turned left into the Mule Creek Junction Rest Area directly in front of a Toyota 4Runner that was headed north, and the two collided.

Sadly, Pandolfi, who was not wearing a helmet, did not survive his injuries.

The driver of the SUV and a passenger were also reportedly injured in the crash, but the Patrol did not say to what extent.

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Driver Inattention Possibly to Blame

The summary lists driver inattention as a possible contributing factor.

Pandolfi is the ninth reported motorcyclist to die on Wyoming's highways this year.