CODY COUPLE KILLED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH ON WYO. HIGHWAY 120
A Cody couple died Saturday afternoon after their motorcycle collided with an oncoming SUV on Wyoming Highway 120 south of Clark.
Timothy Zeller, 57, and Stacey Zeller, 54, were pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Zellers were traveling north when Timothy Zeller attempted to pass another vehicle but did not have enough space to do so.
Their 2007 Harley Davidson struck the front passenger side of a southbound Toyota Highlander driven by 70-year-old Vaughn Gdula of Cody. Gdula applied the brakes but could not avoid the collision. Both vehicles were reportedly traveling between 60 and 70 mph, said Lt. Lee Pence of the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
Emergency responders arrived at 2:12 p.m. Authorities believe the Zellers were wearing helmets, although it did not prevent their fatalities.
Gdula was not injured, but a passenger, 67-year-old Charlotte Gdula, suffered head injuries and was transported by ambulance to Cody Regional Health before being transferred to a facility in Billings for further evaluation. Both passengers were wearing seat belts.
The crash remains under investigation, with authorities looking into possible inattention as a factor. This incident marks the 81st and 82nd fatalities on Wyoming highways in 2019, significantly higher than the 49 fatalities recorded by the same point in 2018.
The recent spike in crashes has raised concerns, with authorities urging drivers to remain attentive and mindful of distractions, emphasizing the importance of safety equipment.