SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The driver of a “trophy truck” off-road vehicle and his co-pilot, part of an Illinois-based racing team, are being sought by police in Baja California after fleeing in a helicopter from the scene of a fatal crash on Monday, according to various published reports in Baja.
Reports say that during a practice run for this week’s Baja 500 race, the two Americans, in their off-road racing vehicle, collided with a pickup in the town of Eréndira south of Ensenada.
That driver, a 38-year-old man, was taken by his family to an area hospital where he was declared dead.
Witnesses have told police the men in the off-road vehicle got into a helicopter moments after the crash and flew away from the scene.
Their whereabouts remain unknown.
A Border Report source says the Americans wanted are Rolf Helland, 65, of Morris, Illinois, and Rick D. Johnson, 56, of Barstow, California.
Pictures from the crash scene show a wrecked No. 37L Norseman Racing vehicle on the side of the road.
Bajaracingnews.com is reporting the off-road vehicle belongs to the Norseman Racing Team based in Morris, Illinois and is registered in the SCORE Trophy Trucks Legend Category.
According to Norseman Racing’s Instagram account, the team was “starting 11th overall for the @scoreinternational Baja 500.”
Those familiar with off-road racing say the vehicle is worth $1 million.
Zeta Newspaper is reporting that the Baja California State Attorney General’s Office has determined the “trophy truck” driven by the Americans was responsible for the crash.
The story did not provide details surrounding the collision.
A spokesperson with SCORE International, which organizes the races, said it would not comment on the accident nor release a formal statement.
A former driver with experience in off-road racing in Baja, tells Border Report that during practice runs, drivers must adhere to traffic laws and rules on roadways, but that racers often don’t.
He also said locals are also warned about off-road activity in the days leading up to scheduled races such as the Baja 500 and Baja 1000, told to be vigilant about fast-moving race cars.
Read: Read More