Post by administrator on Jan 16, 2012 23:19:55 GMT 1
From: Stephen Magro <stvmagro@ihug.com.au>
Sent: Monday, 16 January 2012, 8:51
Subject: American speedcar ace gunned down by grandfather
www.newson6.com
Chili Bowl Racer Donnie Ray Crawford III Killed By His Grandfather
WAGONER COUNTY, Oklahoma - Wagoner County Sheriff's Office released the names of two men killed in a family dispute Saturday morning. Officials confirmed that prominent Green Country racer Donnie Ray Crawford III died at the family home in the 3700 block of South 273rd East Avenue.
Crawford was the favorite son, the local boy competing on the national track. But the Broken Arrow native died before fulfilling his dreams of victory.
"It's a shock anytime you get a call like this but when you find out that it was such a senseless shootin," said Bob Colbert, the Wagoner County sheriff.
The Crawfords had been spending the week participating in the Chili Bowl races. Colbert said the family was just about to leave for the races when 74-year-old Daniel Garcia suddenly started shooting at his grandson, 24-year-old Donnie Ray.
The sheriff says that's when Garcia's daughter Jodie Crawford stepped in to protect Donnie Ray, her son.
"Mrs. Crawford was wounded in the altercation trying to get control of Mr. Garcia and Mr. Garcia was also deceased in that altercation," Colbert said.
At some point, the sheriff says Donnie Crawford stepped in to help his wife Jodie stop the fight and protect their son.
Despite their efforts, the OU student and respected racer died at the hands of his grandfather.
Jodie and Donnie were both injured in the gunfight.
"Our hearts just go out to the family. I'm sure they never thought they'd have to defend their child from another family member."
Sheriff Colbert said Daniel Garcia, the man who started the fight, has a criminal history.
He spent 10 months behind bars for a 2004 conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon.
Now investigators are looking for answers to the disturbing question: Why did Garcia open fire on his own grandson?
Only those four family members were inside the house, and the grandfather did live there.
The Sheriff says the parents, Jodie and Donnie Crawford, received only minor injuries and are OK.
Donnie Ray Crawford is credited with saving a fellow driver's life during a race in Oklahoma City in 2008. He rushed to pull 12-year-old Harli White from her burning mini sprint car at the I-44 Speedway in Oklahoma City. White suffered burns to about half her body. Witnesses say she would have died had Crawford not rescued her.
4/8/2008 Related Story: Race Car Driver Hailed A Hero
Crawford was the 2007 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Rookie of the Year and was to race at Saturday night's event.
News On 6 Sports Anchor Dave Davis interviewed Crawford earlier this week about his hopes in the Chili Bowl Nationals, held this weekend at the Fairgrounds.
"We kind of feel like this is our home track, that they boys around Oklahoma need to defend it. It is the greatest dirt track race in the nation, in the world for that matter, and people don't realize it's right in their backyard," Crawford said.
1/10/2012 Related Story: Chili Bowl Races Return To Tulsa
Crews were called to the scene shortly after 9 a.m. The call initially went to Broken Arrow emergency dispatchers, but the area is outside the police department's jurisdiction.
Jodie Crawford was wounded in the hip and taken to a Tulsa hospital.
She was conscious and able to talk to emergency crews, calling out "I don't want to lose my son," according to News On 6 photojournalist Bill Aycock.
***********
Tulsa, Oklahoma | Jan. 14, 2012 - Third generation driver Donnie Ray Crawford was introduced to the sport of racing at a very young age. He was a mere two days old when he attended his first sprint car race in which his father, multiple time champion Donnie Crawford, was competing. Early on, Donnie Ray would experience what his life might be like in the years to come. That exciting and exemplary 24 year life ended today.
I did not know Donnie or his family, but I still cried when I heard the bad news. I knew of his shining reputation. Longtime and respected members of the Tulsa community, the Crawfords had been spending this week participating in the Chili Bowl midget races at Tulsa's Quick Trip Expo Center. That's where they were headed Saturday morning for the final races of the five day event when the Wagoner County Sheriff says a fight broke out between two family members....
The sheriff says 74-year-old Daniel Garcia entered a room in the house and started shooting at his 24-year-old grandson, Donald Ray Crawford III. Officials confirmed that Donnie Ray Crawford III died at the scene in the family home. Drivers and fans at the Chili Bowl are paying their respects to Crawford at his pits with tears, flowers, stories, hugs and handwritten condolences on a giant banner. His sister Chastity will be singing the National Anthem tonight. To further honor Donnie Ray, officials have announced they will be racing 55 laps in the A-Main , instead of the traditional 50. 55 was Crawford's regular car number.
Early on in his life, Donnie Ray could not wait for race night. He spent most of his time running around, not paying attention to the races, and throwing a fit when it was time to leave. But, that all changed! As he grew older, he started to understand that the papa he already loved and adored was also a multi-champion race car driver. He experienced, first hand, the special bonds that were created in this racing environment with family, friends, and fans. At that point, Donnie Ray began to realize that he was fortunate to have two generations of knowledge, ability, experience and success that could help him in his pursuit of becoming a successful third generation racecar driver.
Donnie Ray began his racing career at age ten racing mini-sprints. Along the way, he has participated in a variety of sprint car, midget and mini-sprint competitions. He has won numerous point championships, Tulsa Shootouts, Pete Frazier Memorials, Al Lemmons Memorials, Oklahoma Nationals, ASCS2 wins, SMRS wins with an overall 2nd place point finish for the second year in a row, and Rookie of the Year titles, including Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year in 2007 by finishing 5th place overall (unprecedented for a rookie). This 5th place finish in the Chili Bowl was astounding for Donnie Ray being it was the first time he had ever been in a midget.
It is hard for anyone to believe this type of thing could happen to the good people of a legendary racing family.
"He is the nicest person you will meet. He will do anything for you. Help you out if you need anything and he is great driver on top of that," says Blake Hahn, Donnie Ray's teammate.
"He came into my life and right away I knew this guy was a stand up guy, from a good family, loving people, he always cared was available to give an autograph at a moments notice," says Donnie Ray's car owner, Jon Kantor.
In addition to being a hero and a popular Snap On Tools rep in the Tulsa area, Donnie Ray Crawford continued to pursue opportunities in gaining the knowledge, experience, and ability needed to take his racing career to the next level. We lost one of the good guys today and pray that God's Grace helps his family, friends and team find comfort and peace in this confusing time of pain and sorrow. God Speed Donnie Ray!
Sent: Monday, 16 January 2012, 8:51
Subject: American speedcar ace gunned down by grandfather
www.newson6.com
Chili Bowl Racer Donnie Ray Crawford III Killed By His Grandfather
WAGONER COUNTY, Oklahoma - Wagoner County Sheriff's Office released the names of two men killed in a family dispute Saturday morning. Officials confirmed that prominent Green Country racer Donnie Ray Crawford III died at the family home in the 3700 block of South 273rd East Avenue.
Crawford was the favorite son, the local boy competing on the national track. But the Broken Arrow native died before fulfilling his dreams of victory.
"It's a shock anytime you get a call like this but when you find out that it was such a senseless shootin," said Bob Colbert, the Wagoner County sheriff.
The Crawfords had been spending the week participating in the Chili Bowl races. Colbert said the family was just about to leave for the races when 74-year-old Daniel Garcia suddenly started shooting at his grandson, 24-year-old Donnie Ray.
The sheriff says that's when Garcia's daughter Jodie Crawford stepped in to protect Donnie Ray, her son.
"Mrs. Crawford was wounded in the altercation trying to get control of Mr. Garcia and Mr. Garcia was also deceased in that altercation," Colbert said.
At some point, the sheriff says Donnie Crawford stepped in to help his wife Jodie stop the fight and protect their son.
Despite their efforts, the OU student and respected racer died at the hands of his grandfather.
Jodie and Donnie were both injured in the gunfight.
"Our hearts just go out to the family. I'm sure they never thought they'd have to defend their child from another family member."
Sheriff Colbert said Daniel Garcia, the man who started the fight, has a criminal history.
He spent 10 months behind bars for a 2004 conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon.
Now investigators are looking for answers to the disturbing question: Why did Garcia open fire on his own grandson?
Only those four family members were inside the house, and the grandfather did live there.
The Sheriff says the parents, Jodie and Donnie Crawford, received only minor injuries and are OK.
Donnie Ray Crawford is credited with saving a fellow driver's life during a race in Oklahoma City in 2008. He rushed to pull 12-year-old Harli White from her burning mini sprint car at the I-44 Speedway in Oklahoma City. White suffered burns to about half her body. Witnesses say she would have died had Crawford not rescued her.
4/8/2008 Related Story: Race Car Driver Hailed A Hero
Crawford was the 2007 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Rookie of the Year and was to race at Saturday night's event.
News On 6 Sports Anchor Dave Davis interviewed Crawford earlier this week about his hopes in the Chili Bowl Nationals, held this weekend at the Fairgrounds.
"We kind of feel like this is our home track, that they boys around Oklahoma need to defend it. It is the greatest dirt track race in the nation, in the world for that matter, and people don't realize it's right in their backyard," Crawford said.
1/10/2012 Related Story: Chili Bowl Races Return To Tulsa
Crews were called to the scene shortly after 9 a.m. The call initially went to Broken Arrow emergency dispatchers, but the area is outside the police department's jurisdiction.
Jodie Crawford was wounded in the hip and taken to a Tulsa hospital.
She was conscious and able to talk to emergency crews, calling out "I don't want to lose my son," according to News On 6 photojournalist Bill Aycock.
***********
Tulsa, Oklahoma | Jan. 14, 2012 - Third generation driver Donnie Ray Crawford was introduced to the sport of racing at a very young age. He was a mere two days old when he attended his first sprint car race in which his father, multiple time champion Donnie Crawford, was competing. Early on, Donnie Ray would experience what his life might be like in the years to come. That exciting and exemplary 24 year life ended today.
I did not know Donnie or his family, but I still cried when I heard the bad news. I knew of his shining reputation. Longtime and respected members of the Tulsa community, the Crawfords had been spending this week participating in the Chili Bowl midget races at Tulsa's Quick Trip Expo Center. That's where they were headed Saturday morning for the final races of the five day event when the Wagoner County Sheriff says a fight broke out between two family members....
The sheriff says 74-year-old Daniel Garcia entered a room in the house and started shooting at his 24-year-old grandson, Donald Ray Crawford III. Officials confirmed that Donnie Ray Crawford III died at the scene in the family home. Drivers and fans at the Chili Bowl are paying their respects to Crawford at his pits with tears, flowers, stories, hugs and handwritten condolences on a giant banner. His sister Chastity will be singing the National Anthem tonight. To further honor Donnie Ray, officials have announced they will be racing 55 laps in the A-Main , instead of the traditional 50. 55 was Crawford's regular car number.
Early on in his life, Donnie Ray could not wait for race night. He spent most of his time running around, not paying attention to the races, and throwing a fit when it was time to leave. But, that all changed! As he grew older, he started to understand that the papa he already loved and adored was also a multi-champion race car driver. He experienced, first hand, the special bonds that were created in this racing environment with family, friends, and fans. At that point, Donnie Ray began to realize that he was fortunate to have two generations of knowledge, ability, experience and success that could help him in his pursuit of becoming a successful third generation racecar driver.
Donnie Ray began his racing career at age ten racing mini-sprints. Along the way, he has participated in a variety of sprint car, midget and mini-sprint competitions. He has won numerous point championships, Tulsa Shootouts, Pete Frazier Memorials, Al Lemmons Memorials, Oklahoma Nationals, ASCS2 wins, SMRS wins with an overall 2nd place point finish for the second year in a row, and Rookie of the Year titles, including Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year in 2007 by finishing 5th place overall (unprecedented for a rookie). This 5th place finish in the Chili Bowl was astounding for Donnie Ray being it was the first time he had ever been in a midget.
It is hard for anyone to believe this type of thing could happen to the good people of a legendary racing family.
"He is the nicest person you will meet. He will do anything for you. Help you out if you need anything and he is great driver on top of that," says Blake Hahn, Donnie Ray's teammate.
"He came into my life and right away I knew this guy was a stand up guy, from a good family, loving people, he always cared was available to give an autograph at a moments notice," says Donnie Ray's car owner, Jon Kantor.
In addition to being a hero and a popular Snap On Tools rep in the Tulsa area, Donnie Ray Crawford continued to pursue opportunities in gaining the knowledge, experience, and ability needed to take his racing career to the next level. We lost one of the good guys today and pray that God's Grace helps his family, friends and team find comfort and peace in this confusing time of pain and sorrow. God Speed Donnie Ray!