Fatal crash in wooded stretch of track during US road race. Tragedy strikes.

Tragedy at US Road Race – Fatal Crash in Wooded Stretch of Track

A competitor was tragically killed in a devastating crash on the first day of a thrilling rally race through a picturesque forest in western Maine. The incident was so severe that organizers had no choice but to cancel the event’s second day.

The victim, Erin Kelly, a 48-year-old woman from Marshall, Virginia, lost her life on Friday when her team’s car crashed near Lower Richardson Lake during the New England Forest Rally. This exhilarating race takes place on rural backroads and logging tracks near Maine’s border with New Hampshire, offering a challenging and scenic route for participants.

Erin Kelly had been navigating cars part-time as a hobby for the Pullen Away Rally Team since 2015, as stated on her LinkedIn page.

Following Erin Kelly’s tragic passing, New England Forest Rally has been called offhttps://t.co/xiDYlsB2HK

— DirtFish (@DirtFishRally) July 15, 2023

In rally racing, navigators play a crucial role by sitting next to the drivers and reading out course notes, providing vital information about upcoming turns and obstacles.

The team, based in Northwood, New Hampshire, has not yet responded to requests for further information about the crash.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash, which can be seen in a photo published by WMTW-TV, showing the wrecked car.

The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office has not yet provided any comment on the incident.

The American Rally Association, the organization that sanctioned the race, released a statement on Saturday, announcing the cancellation of the rest of the event.

“The American Rally Association is deeply saddened to announce the death of competitor and champion co-driver Erin Kelly, who passed away on Friday during competition at the New England Forest Rally in upstate Maine,” the statement reads.

The statement also reveals that the incident occurred on the final stage of the competition, just outside Bethel, Maine. Erin Kelly was co-driving with her long-time partner, TJ Pullen, at the time. The 47-year-old Kelly and Pullen had rallied together for several years and even won the 2018 ARA East Regional NA4WD championship.

“Our focus right now is on Erin, TJ, and their families,” said ARA Series Director Preston Osborn.

“Erin was an accomplished co-driver and a beloved member of our rally community,” Osborn added. “We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and our fellow competitors and fans.”

The tragic crash occurred near Lower Richardson Lake, approximately 35 miles north of Newry, in northwestern Maine.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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