OATMAN – An Apache Junction resident was fatally injured in a Wednesday crash outside the town of Oatman. The Mohave County Sheriff’s office identified the victim as Brent Gaul, 78.

Agency spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said Gaul was injured in a motorcycle crash reported at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday. She said Gaul was thrown from the motorcycle he was operating after he failed to negotiate a curve and left the Oatman Highway in the area of mile marker #9.

Mortensen said Gaul was wearing a half helmet but still suffered severe head injuries. He was flown to a Las Vegas hospital where he subsequently died.

Mortensen said no other vehicles or people were involved in the accident that remains under investigation. She said contributing factors were not initially apparent.

Dave Hawkins