Driver dies after crash at St. Joseph Co. Fairgrounds mud bog event

[Bigdaddy]

http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/wsbt-breaking-news-driver-injured-at-fairgrounds-mud-bog-event-20120728,0,2206431.story


ST. JOSEPH COUNTY -- Tragedy at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds.

The first driver to take the track at the first ever mud bog at the fairgrounds Saturday night was killed in a crash.

WSBT has learned that at the Summer Thunder Mud Bog event, Steve DeLeeuw was making a fast run with his car when he apparently skimmed across the mud pit. When he came out the other end, his rear tires were off the ground, which is where the brakes were on the car.


Lieutenant Matt Blank of the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department says DeLeeuw tried to turn the car to avoid the concrete barriers at the end of the track, but that caused the car to barrel roll, hit the barrier, flip and then land on a chain link fence.

Additional units were called to help extricate DeLeeuw, since crews on the scene didn't have the necessary equipment. Blank says even if emergency officials on the scene had what they needed, it probably wouldn't have mattered.

They pulled DeLeeuw from the car and rushed him to an ambulance. Blank says DeLeeuw was declared dead on his way to the hospital.


Blank says DeLeeuw's 15-year-old son was with him at the track.

DeLeeuw was wearing a helmet, harness and fire suit and the car had a roll cage.

The car was taken by police to be inspected for any mechanical issues that may have led to the crash.


The event finished as planned without incident, and DeLeeuw's death was not announced to spectators

[Bigdaddy]

[lilred]

[Bryank]

RIP man that really sucks

[marshall]

damn. tough loss.

kinda weird they impounded it tho, sounded like a good explanation of what happened. anyone see it?

[4x4xdodgeman]

    that is way some class say brakes on all 4 wheels

['the DON']

[Jjay78]

[85cHeavyMetalBogger]

[85cHeavyMetalBogger]

damn. tough loss.

kinda weird they took it tho, sounded like a good explanation of what happened. anyone see it?

theres a vid in the link

[michigan maniac]

[fordguy]

Holland man killed in mud bog crash

Steve DeLeeuw was a partner in a lumber company

Updated: Sunday, 29 Jul 2012, 5:19 PM EDT
Published : Sunday, 29 Jul 2012, 5:15 PM EDT



ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (WOOD/WSBT) - A Holland man was killed in a mud bog crash in South Bend, Ind. on Saturday.

It happened at the Summer Thunder Mud Bog event at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds, according to WSBT and WNDU out of South Bend.Ind.

Family members confirmed to 24 Hour News 8 that Steve DeLeeuw, a partner at DeLeeuw Lumber in Holland, did not survive the crash. He was 48.

DeLeeuw was a long-time mud bog racer, family said.

As DeLeeuw made a fast run, WSBT reported, he skimmed across a mud pit. His rear tires, which were the ones equipped with brakes, left the ground.

DeLeeuw's vehicle then rolled when he tried to turn to avoid concrete barriers at the end of the track, Lt. Matt Blank of the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department told WSBT. The car hit the barrier, flipped and landed on a chain link fence.

DeLeeuw had to be extricated from the vehicle and was declared dead on the way to the hospital, WSBT reported.

WSBT reported that the exact cause of the crash isn't yet known, but authorities are inspecting the vehicle for any mechanical problems.

WNDU viewer video provides audio from the event announcer about DeLeeuw and his vehicle just before the crash:


RIP

[lilred]

merged the 2 posts

[marshall]

damn. tough loss.

kinda weird they took it tho, sounded like a good explanation of what happened. anyone see it?

theres a vid in the link

man, that thing was moving

[michigan maniac]

damn. tough loss.

kinda weird they took it tho, sounded like a good explanation of what happened. anyone see it?

theres a vid in the link

man, that thing was moving

Looks like he needed a parachute at that speed

[redneckjones09]

so is tommorow the 11th still a mud drag? or is it a mud bog?? ive built my truck and is ready for it... Just wondering if tis still goin on? and gates open at 10am??

[PathWayMan]

[dietsch]

That's really sad.   Couldn't imagine being in his kids shoes