Ikazuchi
01-26-2004, 04:16 PM
Motocross Rider Killed At Qualcomm Stadium
19-Year-Old Crashes, Breaks Neck
POSTED: 12:28 PM PST January 25, 2004
UPDATED: 8:57 AM PST January 26, 2004
SAN DIEGO -- A 19-year-old Riverside man was killed during a qualifying race for the World Supercross Championship at Qualcomm Stadium.
Jason Ciarletta, 19, crashed into a dirt berm that formed the first turn shortly after the start of a preliminary heat in the 125cc support class at about 5:15 p.m. Saturday.
Ciarletta flew over the handlebars of his Yamaha motorcycle, flipped and landed headfirst in the dirt apron outside the racing surface, the newspaper reported.
Ciarletta was motionless as paramedics tended to him for 15 minutes and inserted a tube into his throat. His parents were in the stands as he was taken by ambulance to Sharp Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
Spectators at the stadium were not told of the man's death, which delayed the start of the main event about an hour.
Although the sport has had its share of serious injuries, Ciarletta's death is the first in supercross.
19-Year-Old Crashes, Breaks Neck
POSTED: 12:28 PM PST January 25, 2004
UPDATED: 8:57 AM PST January 26, 2004
SAN DIEGO -- A 19-year-old Riverside man was killed during a qualifying race for the World Supercross Championship at Qualcomm Stadium.
Jason Ciarletta, 19, crashed into a dirt berm that formed the first turn shortly after the start of a preliminary heat in the 125cc support class at about 5:15 p.m. Saturday.
Ciarletta flew over the handlebars of his Yamaha motorcycle, flipped and landed headfirst in the dirt apron outside the racing surface, the newspaper reported.
Ciarletta was motionless as paramedics tended to him for 15 minutes and inserted a tube into his throat. His parents were in the stands as he was taken by ambulance to Sharp Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
Spectators at the stadium were not told of the man's death, which delayed the start of the main event about an hour.
Although the sport has had its share of serious injuries, Ciarletta's death is the first in supercross.