8 dead, 12 hurt at So. Cal. off-road race in desert

With Video.......................











Witnesses describe 'nightmare' as truck slams into spectators, kills 8 at off-road Calif. race



http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/sns-ap-us-off-road-crash-deaths,0,1493833.story?track=rss

 

I hate to see things like this.

 

I feel bad for the families and the driver. That driver has to feel like crap right now even though it wasnt something done on purpose. Prayers go out to the families.

 

Like others have said, there is a risk when standing so close to the race courses at these events. This isn't the first time and will not be the last.

 

Very true.

 

Looking at the footage from CNN (on the SoCal page), it really, really looks like the bystanders were literally feet from the cars. People, you don't stand in the middle of the freeway and play "Frogger" with traffic, why do it in the desert? I mean, tragic, but geez there was some real lack of foresight on display.

And before everyone jumps on me, I've actually worked at desert events in an EMS capacity, called in helo's, and worked on dead and dying out there. You're lucky if you can get an ambulance, the helo is at LEAST an hour away (that's assuming you can get hold of them in the first place, since there aren't cell towers), and the trauma center is often 30-60 minutes away too. I'm not suprised the death toll is that high, and I wouldn't be suprised if a couple of the injured die in the next week or so from head trauma.

I'm curious if the race organizers will be held liable, since obviously the rules on distance from course weren't being enforced? I bet the driver's going to get some involuntary manslaughter type charges too. Like I said, tragic all around.

 

Horrible to see

 

How would the driver be charged? Doesnt seem right to me. You just said there was no enforcement for staying off of the track. Not much he could do if he went out of control and those poor people were in the way.

 

Agreed...................you ever watch those rally races..............I have seen some horrible accidents.................


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5LOuEH9V5E&NR=1

 

Um... he did hit people with the car. There is "vehicular manslaughter," right? If I recall, that's for non-intentional things.

I'm not saying it's right, but it's in the realm of possibility.

 

It is in the realm of possibility, but there could have been better crowd control. Its a really sad thing, but if you stand 10ft off the track then thats the chance you take. I imagine killing 8 people and injuring 12 will be with the driver for the rest of his life. I don't know the situation hopefully he wasnt drinking or high, but it sounds like he went out of control, the crowd was too close, and a terrible thing happened to those poor people.

 

Oh man.

 

they weren't standing 10ft from the track... more like on the edge of the "track". Saw a video a short while ago and people were milling out onto the "track" as the trucks went by.

 

I disagree. I doubt the driver will face any charges from law-enforcement.

However, and more than likely, family of the victims may very well press civil charges to claim a big pay-day.

 

Yep. That probably will happen.

 

It wasn't the driver's fault, there was a mechanical failure on his rig that caused the truck to roll into the crowd.

 

Against the driver and the race organizers and sponsors

 

Poor enforcement of rules, certainly not the driver's fault. If anything, I could see criminal charges being brought against race organizers for ignoring the safety standards.

 

I pray for the families affected by this horrific tragedy!

I'm a big fan of off-road racing, this will definately have an impact in future events on how they control the crowds.

 

Its nothing to do with the driver. its the people. and the dust. and if there was more room from the people then it wouldnt of happened...