From the CDC report [1], it's pretty clear that rabies was not considered for the donor until after the donee died and rabies was confirmed. Possibly because the donor had been scratched by a skunk and not biten. The report says the scratch had been noted on the donor risk assessment interview (DRAI), but that skunks are not considered a reservoir for rabies in his area.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7439a1.htm

Skunks also aren't aggressive...

I thought rabies had to be considered for any interaction with a wild animal. For one showing atypical behavior, the indication is that much stronger.