Biker dies in wreck — Motorcyclist dies in Aug. 1 collision with SUV
A man died in a motorcycle-sport utility vehicle collision the evening of Aug. 1 south of Newcastle on U.S. Highway 85, near the Mule Creek Junction Rest Area, Wyoming Highway Patrol reported Aug. 4.
In a news release, WHP said that at about 5:21 p.m., a northbound 2025 Harley Davidson Road Glide with a rider and passenger turned left into the rest area, directly in front of a northbound 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The rider, identified as Joseph Pandolfi, 73, of South Daytona, Florida., was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene, and his passenger, identified as Kathleen Marin, 64, who is also of South Daytona, was transported by ambulance to Niobrara County Memorial and hospitalized, according to the release. The driver of the SUV was injured, taken to Niobrara County Memorial and released, WHP reported.
Aaron Brown, senior public relations specialist for WHP, told the News Letter Journal that Marin was wearing a helmet, but he doesn’t know if she has been released by the hospital yet.
The highway was closed from about 5:30 p.m. to about 8:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m., according to Brown.
“When troopers got the call, they chose to close the road out of an abundance of caution, and the roadway was reopened once the investigation on the actual roadway was complete and it was deemed safe to do so,” Brown told the NLJ.
Brown said that the investigation is ongoing, but troopers believe rider inattention caused the crash.
“Rider inattention on the part of Pandolfi is being looked at as a possible cause in this crash,” the release said.
The release said that WHP wants everyone who uses its roadways to exercise vigilance and be aware that many more motorcycles will be on the road compared with the usual number over the next few weeks because of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The uptick means “it is critical to be aware of riders and share the road accordingly,” the release said.
“The Wyoming Highway Patrol will have an increased presence in eastern and northeastern Wyoming during the days of Sturgis, including in the areas around Newcastle, and troopers will be looking for any illegal or unsafe driving or riding,” he told the NLJ. “We’re asking riders and drivers alike to stay vigilant, be aware, wear seat belts and proper riding gear and never ride or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”