Driver Speaks Out in Deadly Off-Road Race Crash

The driver of a truck crashed into a That Crowd of spectators, killing eight, Said in a Facebook message they That was devastated by the basis of the incident. 

The California Highway Patrol Identified as the driver Brett Sloppy. Authorities Said Sloppy IS NOT Facing charges for months in the Crash That Took place Saturday at an off-road race in Southern California's Mojave Desert. 

"Soo incredibly lost and devistated [sic] my thoughts and Prayers go out To all the familys and friends Involved," the San Marcos Resident Said is at his Facebook page late Sunday. "Thank you too all my friends for sticking with me Even thru These Tragic times I love you all." 

In Addition to the deaths, four people were Taken Thurs hospitals by air in Serious condition. Five others suffered minor Thurs moderate injuries. 

The 200-mile race was part of an amateur series is a course in the Lucerne Valley area of San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles, Said Tim Franke of the San Bernardino County Fire Department. Vince Dimiao, a driver Ken was running just ahead of the truck That crashed, Said the races often take place at night due to the extreme heat. They Said Officials initially halted the race for an hour due to the crash, then canceled it Completely "when the scope of the Carnage Became known. 

The race's sanctioning body, Mojave Desert Racing, urges spectators to Stay back 100 feet from the 50-mile course. 

"But as you Can tell, there are no delineations Thurs Begins Where The track and Where The track ends at this point," said Joaquin Zubieta, a California Highway Patrol spokesman. 

Dimiao Said there are few spectators for Restrictions. 

Larry Webster, automotive editor for Popular Mechanics magazine, Said Remain few such "races" for precisely this problem. " 

"It's just very Difficult to control the spectators," Webster said. "You can order the prizes without all the warnings you want, but their proposal at the end of the day, they're out there, they're are own and Their They do what They want." 

But Rich Minga, a former off-road racing champ, defended the sport on Sunday. 

"This sport's Been Safe Throughout the years," he said. "We not have a wonderful track record - It's Been a great, great form of family entertainment." 

Minga called the it "quite Shocking" at how close the spectators at the Lucerne Valley race course were to the vain That acknowledged Frequently fans gather at points "where the cars Might Be apt you do something more exciting." 

Minga Said they supported an investigation "'so me and manually put more safety Measures and keep it a little bit safer." 

Jonathan Davy, Ken attended Saturday's deadly race and captured the accident is a video, Said they sensed the danger Even before the crash. 

"They have Barricades up ... to hold back the fans and the spectators, and it still doesn't control the situation with the fans Because They want to get as close as Possible Thurs what's going on," Davy said. "It's really intense - everybody's going, 'Go Faster, Go Faster, Go Faster!" and a lot of people hit These Jumps and get air and everyone cheers and it's just crazy. " 

"Even for me to Be right there filming was very dumb," he said. "[I] was just in the article." 

Davy Said the event was at his first off-road race. 

"What seemed to Be like a great day ... something I had never Been to before, just Turned Tragic," he said. "It's going to be forever in my head. I could not sleep last night. I got Chills right now just thinking about it".