Crash at California auto track kills couple

[Elwood]

Crash at California auto track kills couple watching race from infield

 

 

April 27, 2003

PERRIS, Calif. (AP) -- Two sprint cars crashed during an auto race, sending one hurtling into the stands and the other into the track's infield, where two bystanders were struck and killed.

 

The driver of the car that flipped into the stands had minor injuries, said Jeff Delahunty, a spokesman for the Riverside County Fire Department.

 

The two people killed in the infield in Saturday's crash were identified as Paul Bagley, 74, of Hesperia, and his wife, Helen, 72.

 

``It is just a terrible accident,'' said Riverside County sheriff's Deputy Dennis Gutierrez.

 

The Perris Auto Speedway, which features dirt track racing, is about 40 miles east of Los Angeles.

[TDS 854X4]

That is sad.  I have to say that pretty much any open wheel car scares me, anyway.  I've seen so many get airborne, you just know that they're gonna fall somewhere, and there's no controlling where, fencing slows them sometimes, but I've seen footage of 'em flying thru fences, etc.  It's a shame when this stuff happens.  To have an old husband and wife go together, tragic.  Thoughts go to their family.