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Wreck claims life of local scout leader
GRAYSVILLE -- A Greencastle woman died Saturday as the result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Traci Dianne Klinkerfuss, 41, was traveling with a group of riders in Sullivan County during the Ollie Memorial Ride event. The accident happened just before 2 p.m. between the towns of Graysville and Merom.
"Witnesses said (Klinkerfuss) hit the gravel in a curve on S.R. 63, lost control and went into a field," said Sullivan County Sheriff's Department Deputy David Holmes.
Holmes said he had been trying to get in contact with the Sullivan County coroner to confirm Klinkerfuss's official cause of death, but had been unable to do so as of Monday afternoon.
"I know she was flipped off, but I'm not sure if the bike hit her," Holmes said. "The other bikers had started CPR right after it happened, and the medics took over as soon as they got there."
Klinkerfuss was transported by ambulance to Sullivan County Community Hospital in Sullivan, where she was pronounced dead.
Mike Denney, 53, of Spencer attempted to avoid hitting Klinkerfuss' motorcycle as it began to skid, and he ended up wrecking as well, Holmes said. Denney sustained minor injuries and his passenger, his wife Hilda Denney, 52, was flown from the scene to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
"They flipped off their bike just after Traci went down," Holmes said. "Once someone wrecks in a group of riders, everyone behind them is trying to get out of the way and brake."
A Methodist Hospital spokesperson said Hilda Denney was listed in stable condition on Monday afternoon.
Klinkerfuss was a Girl Scout leader, and was actively involved in many of the local service unit's projects and activities.