By Eric Heinz
An 8-year-old San Clemente boy was killed and his mother suffered traumatic injuries when a car collided into them during the Saturday, June 4, SCORE International Off-Road Racing Baja 500 in Ensenada, Mexico, according to reports from SCORE International Off-Road Racing.
Xander Hendriks, 8, and his mother, Melissa, were standing on the sidelines when a truck in the race took an abrupt turn and apparently lost control and crashed into the audience, based on videos uploaded to YouTube.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with the family’s medical bills and funeral costs at www.gofundme.com/thehendriks5. As of 4:45 p.m. on Monday, the GoFundMe campaign had collected more than $42,600 in 22 hours.
San Clemente Times was told by reliable sources that the family was close with Pacific Coast Church in San Clemente. Church officials did not want to comment on the story at this time, but said they are keeping the family in their prayers and giving them as much support as possible.
Xander was a second-grade student at Las Palmas Elementary School, according to a report from school officials. Counselors will be available throughout the week for anyone in need.
Two other people died in unrelated incidents during the event, SCORE reported.
“In the first racer fatality, Pro Moto Unlimited rider Travis Livingston, 34, of Palmdale, California, crashed at race mile 288.9. When SCORE medical personnel arrived, while attempting to stabilize him, Livingston went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived.” SCORE reported. “In the second racer fatality, Sportsman Moto rider Noah Evermann, 34, of Alaska, was found dead near his motorcycle at race mile 180.9 by another race team.”
Editor’s note: This is a developing story. More details will be provided when they become available.
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