Bobby East, a 37-year-old NASCAR driver, passed away after a stabbing at a service station in California.
Trent William Millsap, 27, has been detained by police after he is accused of stabbing the three-time US Auto Club (USAC) champion in the chest on Wednesday as he was refueling in Westminster.
East was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared him dead.
‘The victim was found on the ground suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest area,’ Westminister Police said in a statement. ‘Officers attempted life saving measures until OCFA paramedics arrived and transported the victim to a local trauma center, where the victim succumbed to his injury.’
Prior to allegedly attacking East, Millsap, a local vagrant, is also accused of stabbing another man at the 76 gas station, according to the police.
Californian racer East, of Torrance, was a star, winning three USAC national driving championships and the SAC Silver Crown titles in 2012 and 2013.
Given that he is the son of USAC Hall of Fame car builder Bob East, East was viewed as a natural on the racetrack when he first appeared on the scene in 2001.
That year, East found his first victory at the USAC National Midgets in 2001, becoming the youngest winner ever at the time at 16, and he was awarded the USAC’s Rookie of the Year.
The USAC dubbed him ‘the winningest USAC National Midget Rookie in more than a quarter century.’
He totaled 22 USAC National Midget wins during his career, and raced in 42 NASCAR national competitions between 2005 and 2008.
This is a developing story.