UPDATE: Victims were not participants.
A 55-year-old Perris man was killed in the Johnson Valley Off-Road area just after the King of the Hammers off-road race Saturday. According to the California Highway Patrol, about 1:30 p.m., Todd McLaughlin was driving a 2013 Can-Am 1000 side-by-side westbound along the ridge of a mountain just south of Melville Dry Lake at an unknown speed. McLaughlin made a right turn and was trying to descend the steep mountain trail when the vehicle overturned several times. McLaughlin and his passenger, Lori Sizemore, 55, also of Perris, became pinned under the vehicle. Relatives, bystanders, and CHP and county Sheriff’s helicopters responded and began medical aid. Todd McLaughlin died while in flight to Barstow Community Hospital. Lori Sizemore was flown to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs with major injuries. “King of the Hammers” Founder Dave Cole expressed his regret to Z107.7 News over the incident. Cole said McLaughlin was not a participant in the off-road competition but was recreating in the area after the races were over. The California Highway Patrol is investigating.
