The dirt bike rider who was killed in a crash Tuesday afternoon east of Ramona has been identified by the San Diego County medical examiner.
X Games star Pat Casey died at the Slayground Motocross Park, a private motocross facility near Sutherland Dam Road. The 29-year-old rider missed his landing and the motorcycle appeared to fall on top of him, CHP Officer Jared Grieshaber said on Tuesday.
Witnesses at the facility, who reported the crash at around 3 p.m., gave Casey CPR until they were relieved by emergency responders, who continued CPR until about 3:40 p.m. when he was pronounced dead, according to Cal Fire San Diego spokesperson Brent Pascua. On Wednesday, Pascua told NBC 7 it took crews a “normal time” to get to the scene — less than 15 minutes, adding that dispatchers talked bystanders through CPR until first-responders arrived.
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The facility is privately owned by Encinitas-native motocross rider Axell Hodges and is regularly used for motocross training as well as some X Games events, according to the X Games website.
Because the collision occurred on private property, the collision and related death are being investigated by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
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Casey, who medaled multiple times at the X Games, grew up in Yorba Linda, California, and pioneered a variety of tricks, according to a profile on Vans "Off the Wall" team member website, including a "double decade" and a "backflip decade."
The rider is survived by his wife, Chase, and their two young children. Reached for comment by NBC 7 on Wednesday, she said, " “He is our everything. He is the best at everything he does and brings so much happiness to all. The most perfect man, my soulmate.”
Shortly after noon on Wednesday, the X Games posted a tribute on Instagram:
We are deeply saddened by Pat Casey’s passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, children, parents and siblings.
A true legend in the action sports community, Pat will always be a member of the X Games family and an inspiration to everyone’s life he touched.
