U.S. Auto Club (USAC) national champion and former NASCAR driver Bobby East was tragically stabbed to death in California on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old was attacked at a gas station in Westminster, which is about 40 minutes outside crime-riddled Los Angeles.
“The victim was found on the ground suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest area,” Westminster Police said in a statement, the Daily Mail reported. “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.”
Bobby East, one of the most prolific drivers of his era and a three-time USAC National Champion driver in USAC Silver Crown and Midgets, passed away on Wednesday night.
He was just 37 years old.
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The alleged attacker, 27-year-old Trent William Millsap, is a transient who frequents the area, according to police.
Millsap, who has distinct tattoos all over his body, left the scene before authorities arrived, The Independent said. He is considered armed and dangerous.
“East raced in 42 NASCAR national touring series races between 2005 and 2008, with two top 10s in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” Front Stretch reported. “He was the 2004 USAC National Midget Series Champion, also winning back-to-back USAC Silver Crown Series championships in 2012 and 2013.”
USAC Racing said it was East’s 2004 season that started his ascent to the top. “East was phenomenal in USAC National Sprint Cars as well, most notably on pavement tracks,” the site outlined. “He tallied 15 wins in the series, with the first coming in 2003 at Ohio’s Mansfield Motorsports Speedway. He also prevailed at the Milwaukee Mile in 2005 in what remains as the last USAC Sprint Car race held on a one-mile track.”
East is the son of legendary car builder Bob East.
The beloved driver was mourned by fans and fellow drivers via social media.
“Very sad to hear of the tragic incident involving Legend USAC driver Bobby East. He was one heck of a wheelman. Thoughts and prayers to his family,” said Todd Bodine, an analyst for Fox Sports and two-time NASCAR champion.
Very sad to hear of the tragic incident involving Legend USAC driver Bobby East. He was one heck of a wheelman. Thoughts and prayers to his family
— Todd Bodine (Official) (@Team_Onion) July 16, 2022
Californians have been dealing with increasing dangerous crime, largely due to soft-on-crime policies in major cities, specifically Los Angeles.
Controversial Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, largely blamed for the rising crime in the city, is currently facing a recall election effort to oust him from office, The Daily Wire reported.
The website to recall Gascón says the DA’s “pro-criminal agenda has turned Los Angeles into a nightmare,” adding that the liberal is unwilling to charge juvenile criminals as adults, “even rape, murder or other heinous crimes, even if days shy of turning 18.”