Former NASCAR driver Bobby East was killed in a stabbing accident at a Southern California gas station, authorities said Saturday. The suspect was later killed by police bullets.
The Westminster Police Department said in a statement on Wednesday evening, shortly before 6 pm local time, that the 37-year-old eastern man was found with a stab wound to the chest at a gas station in Orange County, Westminster. Police said an ambulance rushed him to the hospital, where he died.
Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Trent William Millsap. At the time of the appeal, Millsap was also wanted under an unrelated parole order and was on parole for armed robbery. The motive for the appeal is not yet clear.
Investigators later learned that Millsap may be in an apartment in nearby Anaheim, according to police. Police said that during a special forces raid on the apartment on Friday, Millsap “became confrontational,” prompting officers to first deploy a K-9, then open fire. Police did not say if Millsap was armed.
Milsap was injured and taken to hospital, where he died. Police said the K-9 was hit by a bullet but survived.
American Automobile Club also confirmed East passed away on its website on Saturday, calling him “one of the most prolific drivers of his time.” He was a three-time USA National Champion.
Getty Images
East, whose father was a short-track automaker, won the SAC Silver Crown in 2004, 2012 and 2013.
He was only 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 and made a brief career in NASCAR soon after. He started 11 careers in what is now NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and earned a Top 10 finish in 31 Truck Series races.
“Student. Incurable problem solver. Amateur baconaholic. Introvert. Infuriatingly humble music fanatic.”