Emerson Marcus

RGJ

4:22 p.m. update: A 29-year-old woman died Thursday after she was hit by an art car at Burning Man, an event spokesman said.

Alicia Louise Cipicchio, a manager of an art gallery in Jackson, Wyo., was killed near Center Camp in Black Rock City just after midnight Thursday morning, Graham said. Specifics on the accident weren't immediately known and calls to Pershing County, and Sheriff Richard Machado, weren't returned.

An art car last killed a person in 2003, Graham said, but there have been deaths at Burning Man since then. Art cars are like parade floats and often include elaborate decorations, lighting and areas for groups of people sit down or stand.

MORE: Complete coverage from this year's Burning Man

Humboldt General Hospital CEO Jim Parrish said earlier this week at least two other people have died at Burning Man since the hospital began providing medical response in 2011. The hospital staffs the event with 350 medical employees. Parrish did not return a call for comment Thursday.

This is the first reported Burning Man death this year.

A 5 mph speed limit is enforced at the Black Rock City where close to 70,000 people are attending this year's event, Graham said.

Cipicchio, an art student at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, graduated in 2008 and was described as someone who loved the outdoors and loved life, a co-worker said.

She had a couchsurfing account, an online network where participants open their home to travelers around the world. On the site, she listed her interests as "nature, art, music, food, culture, philosophy, dancing, laughing" and her philosophy: "Love your neighbor."

Several couchsurfers described her as "such a sweet, loving, adventurous, caring spirit" and an "awesome surfer."

Cipicchio worked in sales and was the manager at RARE Gallery of Fine Art and lived in Jackson Valley in Teton County, a rural area in western Wyoming near Yellowstone National Park.

An employee with the gallery, who asked not to be identified by name, said Cipicchio was an "amazing girl, full of life, loved by everybody."

12:56 p.m. update: The woman killed at Burning Man today studied art, loved the outdoors and worked as a manager of an art gallery in Jackson, Wyo., a co-worker said.

Alicia Louise Cipicchio, 29, died after she was hit by a bus near Center Camp in Black Rock City just after midnight this morning, Burning Man spokesman Jim Graham said.

Cipicchio, an art student at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, graduated in 2008.

She had a couchsurfing account, an online network where participants open their home to travelers around the world. On the site, she listed her interests as "nature, art, music, food, culture, philosophy, dancing, laughing" and her philosophy: "Love your neighbor."

Several couchsurfers described her as "such a sweet, loving, adventurous, caring spirit" and an "awesome surfer."

Cipicchio worked at RARE Gallery of Fine Art and lived in Jackson Valley in Teton County, a rural town in western Wyoming near Yellowstone National Park.

An employee with the gallery, who asked not to be identified by name, said Cipicchio was an "amazing girl, full of life, loved by everybody."

She worked in sales and management at the gallery, the employee said.

10 a.m. update: Burning Man says the bus accident today that left one woman dead is under investigation and specific information — of the woman or exactly how she died — are not entirely known.

Pershing County sheriff's investigators reported that the woman died after she was hit by a bus just after midnight this morning, Burning Man spokesman Jim Graham said in email from Black Rock City.

The accident occurred at the entrance of Center Camp close to the Keyhole near Center Café, Graham said.

MORE: Complete coverage from this year's Burning Man

It was not known if alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident, Graham said.

A 5 mph speed limit is enforced at the Black Rock City, Graham said.

Close to 70,000 attended this year's event, officials said.

Thursday morning update: A woman died at Burning Man this morning after reportedly falling under a driving bus, Burning Man spokesman Jim Graham said in an email.

Specifics weren't immediately known on the accident.

The woman has not been identified pending notification of her next of kin.

Burning Man organizers are working with law enforcement investigators from the Pershing County Sheriff's Office and will provide more information as it becomes available, Graham said in an email from Black Rock City.

"This is a terrible accident," Burning Man co-founder Marian Goodell said in an emailed statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and campmates. Black Rock Rangers and Emergency Services Department staff are providing support to those affected."

Humboldt General Hospital CEO Jim Parrish said earlier this week that deaths do happen at Burning Man. He said at least two other people have died there since the hospital began providing medical response in 2011.

This is the first reported Burning Man death this year.

More details will be posted as they become available.