2000-2009
Dale Anderson
Born: June 24, 1955
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Died: September 8, 2002
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Buried:
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Age: 47
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Full Name: Dale Wesley Anderson
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event: National Jet Boat Association race
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Accident Date: September 8, 2002
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Boat: "Bad Boy's Dixie Toy"
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Biographical: His boat became airborne and flipped. He was transported to Kern Medical Center where he died shortly after arrival. He was from Newport Beach, California.
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Sources
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"Drag racer dies at jet boat tourney," Manila Standard, September 9, 2002
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"Drag racer dies in jet boat event in Calif.," Spartanburg Herald-Journal, September 9, 2002
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"Racing accident kills man," Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Sep. 9, 2002
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Social Security Death Index (Dale W. Anderson, born June 24, 1955, died Sep. 8, 2002, SS# issued in Calif. In 1969)
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California Birth Index (Dale Wesley Anderson, born June 24, 1955 in L.A. Co., mother’s maiden name was Hodson)
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Photos
Joe Barnes
Born: September 3, 1944
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Died: August 28, 2004
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Buried: South Fork Cemetery, South Baptist Church, near Halls, Tennessee
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Age: 59
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Full Name: Joe Henry Barnes, Jr.
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Nickname: "The Real 239"
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Location: Green River, Livermore, Kentucky
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Event: Kentucky Drag Boat Association 9th annual "Thunder on the Green" race
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Accident Date: August 28, 2004
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Boat: 239 "High and Dry"
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Biographical: During qualifying, he died instantly when his boat flipped in the air and he was ejected. Wind and speed were thought to be a factor in his crash. He was from Ripley, Tennessee, and had been racing boats for 25 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.
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Sources
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"Tennessee man killed in western Kentucky hydroplane race," Elizabethton Star, August 30, 2004
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Social Security Death Index (Joe H. Barnes, born Sep. 3, 1944, died Aug. 28, 2004, SS# issued in Tennessee in 1960, last residence was Ripley, TN)
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Harriett Barnes Higgs, e-mail communication to site administrator, Aug. 18, 2011
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Rita Barnes, e-mail communication to site administrator,
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Photos
Lloyd Burns
Born: February 17, 1939
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Died: April 21, 2007
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Buried: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Evansville, Indiana
Age: 68
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Full Name: Lloyd Holmes Burns, III
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Nickname:
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Location: Kentucky Lake's Pisgah Bay
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Event: Kentucky Drag Boat Association
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Accident Date: April 21, 2007
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Boat: outboard-engined drag boat
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Biographical: He was practicing to later make runs at the KDBA event at Pisgah Bay on Kentucky Lake near Grand Rivers, Kentucky. His boat went airborne at high speed, then flipped, and disintegrated. Burns was thrown from the boat. He was transported to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville where he succumbed shortly afterwards. He owned a boat shop in Evansville, where he lived. He was survived by his wife, Carol, and children.
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Sources
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"Indiana boater dies after crash," Paducah Sun, Apr. 22, 2007
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Obituary, Evansville Courier & Press, Apr. 23, 2007
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Social Security Death Index
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Indiana Death Certificate
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Photos
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Melvin Eaves
Born: September 5, 1950
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Died: July 1, 2001
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Buried:
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Age: 50
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Full Name: Melvin Ray Eaves
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Nickname:
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Location: Alabama River
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Event: Alabama River Rampage
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Accident Date: July 1, 2001
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Boat: Modified Production outboard-engined drag boat
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Biographical: He was thrown from his boat during a race at nearly 90 MPH. His helmet came off upon impact. He was transported to Jackson Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He resided in Vidor, Texas.
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Sources
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"Investigators look into boating death," Montgomery Advertiser, July 3, 2001
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Social Security Death Index
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"Racing boat pulled from river," Montgomery Advertiser, July 6, 2001
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Photos
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Vidor High School 1968 Yearbook
Don Ermshar
Born: February 16, 1943
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Died: August 27, 2009
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Buried: Crestlawn Memorial Park, Riverside, California
Age: 66
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Full Name: Donald Paul Ermshar
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Nickname:
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Location: Marine Creek Lake, North Fort Worth, Texas
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Event: Southern Drag Boat Association Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals
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Accident Date: July 12, 2009
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Boat: top alcohol flatbottom
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Biographical: He was traveling at 161 MPH when he skidded out of control at the finish line. He was submerged under water for about five minutes in his safety capsule until rescue workers could extricate him. He was transported to Harrison Methodist Hospital. Initial diagnosis showed his injuries seemed to be minor, but he developed complications and died about six weeks after the crash. He was from Riverside, California, and was survived by his wife, Phyllis.
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Sources
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"Drag boat racer in stable condition after Fort Worth crash," Star-Telegram, July 13, 2009
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http://dragboatalley.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/2/481.html (accessed 7/25/10)
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http://dragboatalley.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/4/286.html (accessed 7/25/10)
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Social Security Death Index (Donald Ermshar, born Feb. 16, 1943, died Aug. 27, 2009, SS# issued in Calif. In 1959, last residence in Riverside, CA)
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Photos
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http://teamrfc.org/DonErmshar.shtml (accessed 7/25/10)
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Lance Faulkner
Born: August 24, 1969
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Died: November 22, 2001
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Buried: East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, Provo, Utah
Age: 30
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Full Name: Lance Travis Faulkner
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Mead, Parker, Arizona
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Event:
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Accident Date: November 22, 2001
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Boat:
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Biographical: He was testing a drag boat when the propeller broke and the boat flipped over on Lake Mead. He lived in Provo, Utah, and was survived by his wife, Melanie, and young daughter.
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Sources
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"Boat crash claims Lance Faulkner," Deseret News, Nov. 27, 2001
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"Racer remembered for putting others first," Deseret News, Jan. 14, 2002
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Photos
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Alan Hawkins
Born:
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Died: June 17, 2000
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Buried:
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Age:
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Full Name:
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event:
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Accident Date:
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Boat: "Gladiator" blown alcohol hydro
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Biographical: He had only raced his boat a few times prior to his fatal accident. He suffered rudder failure near the finish. More research is needed.
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Sources
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Gary Brown, e-mail communication to site administrator, Oct. 4, 2010
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Photos
John Hipwell
Born: September 24, 1957
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Died: October 3, 2004
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Buried: St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery, Dover, New Jersey
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Age: 47
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Full Name: John Robert Hipwell, Jr.
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Yosemite, Merced, California
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Event: International Hot Boat Association race
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Accident Date: October 3, 2004
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Boat: "Madness" top fuel hydro
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Biographical: His boat spun out of control at 201 MPH on the top end. He was making a single pass after his competitor broke. He was an auto mechanic and lived in Landing, New Jersey. He was survived by his wife, Jo-Ann.
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Video:
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Tribute to John Hipwell
Sources
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"Crash victim loved racing," Merced Sun-Star, October 5, 2004
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"Landing man killed in California boat mishap while trying to set world record," New Jersey Highlands News Service, October 11, 2004
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http://dragboatracing.com/Community/Forums/tabid/54/aft/35688/Default.aspx (accessed 7/25/10)
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Photos
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http://www.pbase.com/richard/boat_races (accessed 7/25/10)
Charlie Hodsdon
Born: December 21, 1963
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Died: October 15, 2006
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Buried:
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Age: 42
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Full Name: Charles Ronald Hodsdon
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event:
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Accident Date: September 17, 2006
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Boat: "White Thunder" River Races jet boat
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Biographical: His boat went airborne at about 140 MPH at about half track. He was ejected, but the boat landed on top of him. He was transported to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. He was paralyzed from the waist down. After about three weeks, they transported him to Enloe Medical Center in Chico, California. Unfortunately he began having complications, was operated on, and died. He was from Paradise, California, and was survived by his wife, Audrey.
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Sources
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http://dragboatalley.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/2/243.html (accessed 7/26/10)
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http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_8039514 (accessed 7/26/10)
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Photos
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http://dragboatalley.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/2/243/2.html (accessed 7/26/10)
Mike Neuharth
Born: January 3, 1959
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Died: April 9, 2005
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Buried: Mount Angeles Memorial Park, Port Angeles, Washington
Age: 46
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Full Name: Michael Alan Neuharth
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Nickname:
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Location: Firebird Lake, Phoenix, Arizona
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Event: International Hot Boat Association Lakefest
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Accident Date: April 9, 2005
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Boat: "Silver Belle" Pro Mod
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Biographical: He had just finished a qualifying run at about 165 MPH. He had just backed off the accelerator when one of his sponsons lifted and the boat nose dived and did a hard right turn. It then began flipping violently end over end and side over side. The boat sank in shallow water and rescue workers got to him within 90 seconds, but were unable to resuscitate him. Some thought that because the capsule didn't separate from the hull, that malfunction may have led to his death. He was from Sequim, Washington, and was survived by his wife, Judy, and three children.
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Sources
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"Cause of racer's death may be faulty capsule," Arizona Republic, April 12, 2005
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Social Security Death Index (Mike Neuharth, born Jan. 3, 1959, died Apr. 9, 2005, SS# issued in Calif. In 1972)
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California Birth Index (Michael A. Neuharth, born Jan. 3, 1959 in San Joaquin Co., mother’s maiden name was Mueller)
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Photos
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Smoke on the Water: The IHBA 2005 Season Opener (DragList.com)
Stevie Rawleigh
Born: July 20, 1957
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Died: September 28, 2008
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Buried:
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Age: 51
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Full Name: Stephen Todd Rawleigh
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Nickname: Stevie Smith
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Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event:
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Accident Date: September 28, 2008
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Boat: 19-foot Chevy-powered flatbottom
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Biographical: He was traveling about 115 MPH when he lost control and the boat flipped upside down over and over. He was transported to Kern Medical Center where he died.
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Sources
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"Man dies at Lake Ming drag boat races," KGET.com, September 28, 2008
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"Arizona drag racer dies after Lake Ming crash," BakersfieldNow.com, September 29, 2008
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Social Security Death Index (Stephen Todd Rawleigh, born July 20, 1957, died Sep. 28, 2008, SS# issued in Calif. In 1963)
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Photos
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http://stephenrawleigh.webs.com/whenwhere.htm (accessed 7/25/10)
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http://stephenrawleigh.webs.com/ (accessed 7/25/10)
David Skalicky
Born: September 12, 1973
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Died: July 10, 2005
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Buried: Evergreen Memorial Park, Crockett, Texas
Age: 31
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Full Name: David Lee Skalicky
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Nickname: "Mr. Dixie"
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Location: Oklahoma River, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Event: Southern Drag Boat Association Ozarka Bricktown Nationals
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Accident Date: July 10, 2005
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Boat: "Bad Boys Dixie Toy Express" blown gas flatbottom
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Biographical: He was thrown from his boat near the start when the front end of the craft came up. His body position when thrown into the water was not good and he suffered a broken neck. He was transported to the O-U Medical Center where he died. He was a school teacher from Crockett, Texas.
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Sources
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"East Texas man dies in drag boat racing accident in Oklahoma City," KTRE.com, July 10, 2005
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Social Security Death Index (David L. Skalicky, born Sep. 12, 1973, died July 10, 2005, SS# issued in Texas)
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"Accident claims boat racer," The Oklahoman, July 11, 2005
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Photos
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http://www.pipelinepc.com/dixieexpressracing/home.html (accessed 7/23/10)
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http://dragboatracing.com/Community/Forums/tabid/54/aft/35706/Default.aspx (accessed 3/12/11)
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Find a Grave (photo courtesy of Carol Johnson Hoch)
Jim Tucker
Born: March 7, 1957
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Died: June 20, 2009
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Buried: Mission Burial Park South, San Antonio, Texas
Age: 52
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Full Name: James Delson Tucker
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Nickname:
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Location: Creve Coeur Lake, Maryland Heights, Missouri
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Event: 30th annual Budweiser Creve Coeur Lake Drag Boat Classic
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Accident Date: June 20, 2009
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Boat: "Say When" hydro
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Biographical: During qualifying he was speeding about 140 MPH when his boat began chine walking and then dipped bow first into the water and its deck was torn off. It then proceeded to disintegrate. He was ejected from the boat and died soon after on shore. He was from Kingsbury, Texas, and was survived by his wife, Yvonne. He was a 20-year veteran drag boat racer and had been the IHBRA Pro-Eliminator world champion in 2008.
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Video:
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TV news report of crash
Sources
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"1 killed during boat race," News Tribune.com, June 22, 2009
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Social Security Death Index (James D. Tucker, born Mar. 7, 1957, died June 20, 2009, SS# issued in Texas in 1973)
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Texas Marriage Collection (James D. Tucker, married Yvonne Laney on Dec. 20, 2000 in Guadalupe Co., TX)
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Photos
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"Oklahoma City Nationals: Drag boats welcome U.S.S. OKC crew," The Oklahoman
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Jay Wallace
Born: September 26, 1962
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Died: May 6, 2006
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Buried: cremains scattered at Lake Mead
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Age: 43
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Full Name: Edward Jay Wallace
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event: National Jet Boat Association May Shootout race
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Accident Date: May 6, 2006
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Boat:
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Biographical: Witnesses thought his throttle got stuck while traveling about 130 MPH and he hit the shore at full speed. His boat flew into the air, over a parking lot, and crashed into a hillside causing a grass fire. He was thrown from the boat after it left the water. He was transported to Kern Medical Center where he died. He was from Las Vegas, Nevada, and was survived by his wife, Denise, and three children.
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Sources
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"Man dies after weekend boating accident at Lake Ming," BakersfieldNow.com, May 7, 2010
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Social Security Death Index
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Photos