Three-time US Auto Club (USAC) national champion Bobby East has died after being stabbed at a Southern California gas station earlier this week. He was 37 years old.
Key points:
- East was stabbed at a gas station before dying in hospital
- The suspect was shot and killed days later when police attempted to arrest him.
- Police said no motive had been established for the attack.
The Westminster Police Department released a statement identifying Robert John East of San Dimas as the person stabbed in the chest Wednesday.
The release said the suspect, Trent William Millsap, was shot and killed in Anaheim on Friday as officers attempted to arrest him.
Police say they have no motive for the attack and the investigation into both deaths is ongoing.
They said they arrived at the gas station shortly before 6 p.m. and found East suffering from a stab wound.
He was taken to the University of California Irvine Medical Center, where he died.
East, whose father was a renowned short track car builder, won the USAC National Midgets title in 2004 and Silver Crown championships in 2012 and 2013.
He has 56 USAC-sanctioned victories, including 48 in national divisions.
Bobby East had a short career in NASCAR. (AFP: Joe Robbins/NASCAR)
He was just 16 years old in 2001 when he became the youngest driver to win a USAC National Midget race.
He won 15 USAC races in 2004 before embarking on a short career in NASCAR.
He made 11 career starts in what is now NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and had two top-10 finishes in 31 career Truck Series races.
“NASCAR is saddened to learn of the tragic death of Bobby East,” NASCAR said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bobby, a true runner.”
“Very sad to hear of the tragic incident involving Legend USAC driver Bobby East. He was one heck of a driver,” former Truck Series champion Todd Bodine tweeted.
Westminster police said Millsap, 27, was on parole for armed robbery and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for an unrelated parole violation.
P.A.
