-Update Tuesday, Oct. 25:
+A Go fund me account has been made public to help the family:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-in-the-memory-of-jimmy-rodriguez-jr
Now, we put these things at the top of our reporting for two reasons. We think its reasonable to think its easier for the public to see and respond to these 'family needs', when people can actually see them.
As opposed to being buried in a forum post on page 28 or whatever at the bottom of a heap of page after page of absolute trash.
Just a tip, you know those people and the entire desert racing community doesn't want this info known because it makes THEM look bad. Gee why is that?
Buried under 28 or whatever pages of the ramblings of worthless opinions and observations of people who could not care less about this persons family.
Buried under a mis-titled posting, so the info is easily and intentionally, not seen - not visible.
+BITD finally says something...
-Now, we'll watch, as they do nothing more, just like every other racing organization in the West.
"Out of respect for the family". Sure.
How about, so THEY don't have to think or say anything about how to do these activities the CORRECT or RIGHT way?
Or do the RIGHT thing by the family?
That's why we are in business, Baja Racing News LIVE!. Guaranteed events that produce human interest reporting, that thousands of people, 'in the business', don't want the public to ever see or know about.
-"Family confirms ID of man killed at Laughlin races
Little information has been made available about the accident that claimed the life of a young man photographing competition at the weekend Laughlin Desert Classic offroad races at the Laughlin Event Center.
Jimmy Rodriguez Jr., 19, of Peoria, Arizona, was killed when he was struck by a utility terrain vehicle Saturday morning. “He was killed while taking pictures at the Best in the Desert event in Laughlin", his father, Jim Rodriguez, confirmed in an email to the Mohave Valley Daily News on Monday.
“We are devastated”, he said. He could not be reached for more information Monday. Neither the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department nor the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has released any details about the crash. A Metro spokesman said that BLM is the lead agency in the accident because it occurred on BLM land; a BLM spokesman referred all inquiries to the LVMPD, which provides law enforcement for all of unincorporated Clark County, including Laughlin.
What is known is that a competitor in the Best in the Desert event lost control of his vehicle during a run on the winding, hilly 17-mile course that begins at the Event Center and runs through the desert on both sides of Needles Highway.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle suffered a front-end failure after landing from a jump, with the four-wheeler making a sharp turn from the course. The vehicle reportedly struck Rodriguez and crashed into a mobile light standard. No other information has been released.
Best in the Desert Racing Association, which conducted the event, has not released a statement about the accident.
The Laughlin Desert Classic, which had more than 200 entries, concluded Sunday. Saturday's competition was delayed and the course modified following the accident."
Can you say possible 'course layout or management causation'?
Can you say possible race driver negligence?
-THIS REPORT IS OFFICIALLY FILED, OCTOBER 24, 2022, 11PM WEST
-Monday, Oct. 24 From Laughlin Nevada-
Pics and Videos of the tragedy being withheld out of respect for the families.
Notice came to the AP overnight by off-road media sources.
-Sunday, Oct. 23-
-Jimmy Rodriguez Jr., was killed yesterday.
+More info rolling in from onsite witnesses, "Williams (hack racer) was outside the racing line by about 15 feet, outside the berm, their hood is till there (location of the incident) in about 2 feet of gravel."
+Reportedly, the victim Mr. Rodriguez, Jr., he was on the course without certification by the race sanction.
Certification of race media is required by the sanction, BITD. However, security at these circus events is very loose.
If he had been 'certified', some fault could be laid at the feet of BITD. However, being uncertified, lays all responsibility on the victim. Maybe some on BITD, for failure of security.
And the racer at the wheel, failure to control his vehicle.
*Please email us if you have actionable intel on this reporting at: bajaracingnews@live.com
Sheriffs and Coroner to release death reporting. In this case, Mohave County Medical Examiner.
"Local coroner is the government or judicial official, empowered to conduct or order an inquest into the manner or cause of death, and to investigate or confirm the identity of the dead, within the coroner's jurisdiction."
-Mohave Valley Daily News, 1:59 AM, 10-23. By: Bill McMillen
"Camerman killed at Laughlin races"
"LAUGHLIN — A media member working at the offroad races at Laughlin was killed Saturday when he was struck by a vehicle that apparently suffered a mechanical failure on the utility terrain vehicle course.
The crash occurred Saturday morning during the Laughlin Desert Classic, UTV races conducted by Best in the Desert. BITD conducts races in Laughlin annually. While the crash remains under investigation, witnesses at the site reported that a vehicle in the competition suffered a major front-end failure after landing a jump on the rugged, winding 17-mile course that begins and ends in the Laughlin Event Center and meanders across Needles Highway and through the Laughlin desert.
After landing, the four-wheeled UTV made a sharp right turn and crashed into an area where media were allowed to take photographs and video of the event. The victim was described as a cameraman but his media affiliation was not made publicly available. No other injuries were immediately reported. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of Clark County, did not respond to requests for additional information at either Laughlin Substation or Metro's Las Vegas headquarters. The name, age and hometown of the victim has not been released, nor has any information about the driver or vehicle involved in the crash. Following the accident, racing was suspended while emergency personnel responded but resumed later Saturday on a modified course that bypassed about a one-mile segment that included the crash site.
Crash investigators were at the site for most of Saturday afternoon. Saturday was the fourth of five days of Laughlin Desert Classic activities. The final day of the event is scheduled to begin on schedule, at 7 a.m. today, with conclusion after 4 p.m."
Link to local reporting CLICK HERE
-Original Report: Saturday, Oct. 22-
Reportedly, a member of the media was struck and killed by a race vehicle that lost control and then ended up on top of a lighting trailer at the Best In The Desert’s Laughlin Desert Classic.
From an eye witness:
"The jeep broke an axle - landing off a jump. Made right turn and struck the 'photographer'. He was so close to the track he never had a chance."
The media 'photographer' never had a chance because of his location and proximity to the race vehicle breaking, after a 'jump', per this witness.
"To the right of the jump", meaning the photog was shooting into the sun. At the infield portion of the track. Our reporting now, uncredentialed and unlucky enough to get killed by a hack racer.
Bad equipment, which broke, then the driver never let off the gas.
An AP reporter, working with BajaRacingNews.com is onsite and getting the story.
No further information was immediately available and the name of the deceased has not been released. We will update this reporting once we receive more information from our onsite information source.
Last updated, Tuesday, October 25.
Gary Newsome
takes one, to know one
ReplyDeleteAnyone killed by race cars while on the course is at fault for their own risk.
ReplyDelete15 ft is nothing and not allowed at any race I've photographed. 150ft is the rules I've been taught by BLM and the media leaders. Kid was stupid to be that close to begin with.
ReplyDelete