Texas drag race driver slams into spectators, killing 2 kids

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — A driver lost control during a Texas drag racing event on an airport runway and slammed into a crowd of spectators, killing two children and injuring eight other people, authorities said.

A 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy were killed in the crash Saturday afternoon at an event called “Airport Race Wars 2” at the Kerrville-Kerr County Airport, police said in a news release. The organized event was attended by thousands and involved drivers speeding down a runway as they competed for cash.

The driver “lost control and left the runway, crashing into parked vehicles and striking spectators who were observing the races,” Kerrville police said.

The injured victims were taken to various hospitals, including a 46-year-old woman who was listed in critical condition. The majority of the other injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, although the condition of a 26-year-old man was unknown, authorities said. A 4-year-old boy and a 3-month-old girl were taken to a hospital for precautionary evaluations.



In this photo provided by Louis Amestoy, a police officer stands watch over the scene of a fatal drag racing crash at the Kerrville-Kerr County Airport in Kerrville, Texas, on Oct. 23, 2021. (Louis Amestoy via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/sports-texas-kerrville-070c4b3e108b115d6d18fdeea4d5019a

[11 Bravo]

1. The driver could be in trouble. On the other hand, had he simply shot both children ...

he would stand a real chance of skating. Because, Texas.

[LisaL]

3. Unlikely driver is going to be in legal trouble.

This was an organized event, not illegal race.

[TeamProg]

2. Don't the parents hold some responsibility for child endangerment? There were obviously NOT ENOUGH

safety pre-cautions / regulations in place.

[LisaL]

4. It was advertised as "family friendly" day.

NT

[uncle ray]

5. the parents almost certainly signed a liability waiver.

and never gave it a second thought.

[Walleye]

6. "Race Wars"?Unfortunate choice of words

[pecosbob]

7. Seems to me drag race tracks have crash barriers to protect both drivers and spectators

It was foolish to hold the races on an airstrip without paying proper foresight to spectator safety. Unless the ticket sales terms shield the promoters they could be liable.

[Old Crank]

13. Story says

They had water filled barriers along the course that ended at the finish line. Right when cars are at peak speed. Driver lost control before the end .

[ms liberty]

8. The spectators were separated from the racing lanes by traffic cones

My husband read this story this afternoon and lost his mind about it he was so pissed off. He said that the pictures show that the spectators were basically right next to where the racing was taking place, with no barriers or crash walls or safety features. The thing was held at an old airport runway.

[LuckyLib]

9. Yeah, bring your 3 month old to a drag race.

The stupid just oozes. 😝🤠

[SpankMe]

10. Fuck yeah I'm going to politicize the death of 2 children...

About 20 years ago there was a brouhaha at the Pomona Fairplex (L.A.'s fairgrounds) over their drag racing track there. The county was upgrading the safety standards for crowd safety in case cars lost control on the track.

The domain of right-wingers almost exclusively, the drag-racing crowd cried foul and went in to their usual "this threatens our liberty" whining and chest beating. The county implemented their standards anyway and drag racing went on there for years afterward without bankrupting the drag race industry and without major safety incidents.

L.A. County (the occupational safety department) usually dispatched a rep to monitor drag racing ops and provide enforcement. Tickets were written. Fines were levied. People complied.

Fast forward to Texas, 2021. I happen to know that TX has very nearly the same rules as CA for crowd and race safety, which is great.

What they don't have is enforcement. Although it's in their safety regs, it's largely treated as "voluntary compliance". There's no enforcement whatsoever unless there is a major incident. And even then, the fines are light and there's no follow up.

So, I bet this will boil down to Texas' lackluster regulatory environment. They do have fairly good regs in most areas. They just have no enforcement.

As for the families of the deceased - my heart aches. Bad. I don't care what their political orientation is, the loss of 6 and 8 year olds is devastatingly sad for a family. Drag racing is actually a very interesting sport and is good family activity. That these families lost tykes at a drag race is so tragic that it's hard to swallow.

Rest well, young ones. You'll be remembered.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. Who was the drag racer? Why doesn't the article say? nt

[lostnfound]

14. Good point.

[LiberalLovinLug]

12. Woo Hoo! This is what racing is all about!

As long as its not MY kids.

Think of how horrible it would be to see that vehicle coming towards them? My gawd. The noise. The explosions! Just wish I was sitting closer so I could see what happened.

Now its going to be even MORE exciting to go. Reminds us all how brave we all are to support our great "sport". Thinking how my family escaped death this time. Must mean God is watching out for us, so we got nothin to worry about. USA USA USA!

. . . . . . . . said by a MAGA Racing Fan.

[Turbineguy]

15. There's another Don Jr tee-shirt in the making.