Fatal Collision at Bonneville Speed Week Event leaves One Dead, Five Injured

A fatal accident has occurred at the historic Bonneville Salt Flats. Details are few and far between at the moment, but we can say for sure the incident took place away from the timed racing surface and did not involve any of the cars competing in the event.

From what police have been able to gather, a pickup truck and minivan collided head-on while traveling on an access road that is used to transport cars from the finish line back to the pit. It’s unclear if the road is also used to access the track from public roads or what role any of the people involved played in the annual Speed Week event. The collision took place around 8:30 am local time and left one 65 year old male dead and five others injured. The name of the deceased has not been released, pending notification of next of kin.

It appears the truck veered into the path of the minivan, though a reason for the truck’s loss of control hasn’t yet been determined. Utah Highway Patrol has been on the scene helping recreate the scene to determine any factors that may have contributed to the incident.

Speed Week annually draws over 400 cars to the dry lake bed to compete in the top speed contest, where competitors take their best shot at reaching their top speed. Cars regularly top 400 MPH through the 5-mile course, and the standing record at Bonneville is 622 MPH held by Gary Gabelich. Competitors come from all around the world to compete in the Speed Week event.