A freelance photographer, Stéphane Giraudi was killed on Saturday, 12 November 2016 morning, during the second special stage between Marato and Bellevalle, of the Rallye Mare è Machja held on the south shore of the gulf of Ajaccio, island of Corse.

The accident occurred in the village of Silvareccio, in the Haute-Corse department of France. Stéphane Giraudi was struck by the Renault Clio S1600 #17 of Christophe Poli-Jean-Mathieu Santoni, participating in the rally. The car went out of control after hitting a bump. Giraudi, who was standing in a place that was not allowed to the public, was killed on the spot.

A regular at regional rallies, Stéphane Giraudi, 49 years of age, was reported to be a native of Haute-Corse. He was a longtime collaborator of the two regional daily newspapers, La Corse-Le Provençal and Corse-Matin, and also of the magazine Echappement.

After the accident, the special stage was immediately stopped and the remainder of the rally was canceled. The driver Christophe Poli and his co-driver Jean-Mathieu Santoni were taken in a state of shock to the hospital of Ajaccio. This was the second edition of the rallye Mare è Machja, organised by the ASACC (Association Sportive Automobile Club de la Corse). 140 teams were engaged in the event.

R.I.P