12/29/1952
An Albuquerque, N.M. auto racing fan was killed at Evans Oval in Ascarate Parks Sunday when he was struck by two speeding midget racing cars as he attempted to prevent a possible collision on the track.
Everett E. Staner, 42, was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to El Paso General Hospital.
Doctors said that death was caused by “severe” head injuries.
Staner, a racing enthusiast who had traveled to El Paso for the special 50 lap midget auto race, leaped out onto the track as one car spun out on a turn partially blocking the track and setting the scene for a possible collision.
Staner, who has participated as a starter and flag man at many of the auto races at Albuquerque, was carrying a yellow caution flag at the time.
As Staner leaped onto the track one of the speeding midget auto racers struck him almost head-on throwing him into the air.
An ambulance, on duty at the track, rushed him to the hospital. Doctors said that he was still breathing when admitted although he had no pulse nor blood pressure.
He was pronounced dead four minutes after being admitted.
Seven speeding midget auto racing cars were quickly brought to a stop following the accident, as hundreds of persons congregated on the track.
Some 500 horrified spectators witnessed the fatal accident which occurred about 4:30 p.m. during the middle of the special 50-lap race.
Local racing officials said that Staner was allowed on the infield of the track for the races as a “courtesy” since he had long been active in auto racing in New Mexico.
Although not holding any official position for Sunday’s races, Staner was acting as a flagman on the southeast corner of the track.
Staner was division manger of the Greater Mountain Chemical Co. n Albuquerque and a member of Temple Lodge, AF and AM and the Santa Fe N.M, Scottish Rite
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Carrie Mae Staner, Albuquerque.
Funeral arrangements were pending Sunday awaiting notification of his wife and other members of his family.
Sunday’s mishap was the first serious accident at the Lower Valley track this year. The official racing season actually closed Thanksgiving Day, but midge auto racers had requested permission to stage the special race Sunday.
Local racing officials Sunday identified Ernie Dietzman of Phoenix as he drier of the car which spun out f the east turn sending Staner to leap out onto the track in an effort to flag down the cars and prevent a possible collision.
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