Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
SoCal Rider Jeff 'Ox' Kargola Dies In Mexico Motocross Race
Motocross (Photo by Geraint Warlow via Flickr)
Jeff 'Ox' Kargola, a Southern California freestyle racer, died Friday from injuries sustained in a crash on day two of the"Desert Assassins' 2011 Rip to the Tip" motocross competition in Mexico, an event that takes riders along the length of the Baja Peninsula in an eight-day, 1,300-mile race to Cabo San Lucas over mountains, beaches and deserts, reports the LA Times. He was 27.
Kargola who lived in San Clemente, was "attended to by medical personnel on site and was transported via helicopter to the San Felipe hospital where he passed away due to his injuries," read an event statement, reports the LA Times. "He passed early [Friday] afternoon with his best friends Cameron Steele, Ryan Hagy, Chad Peebles, Ryan Cropley, Rich Niggemann, Mark Moss and Trigger Gumm." ESPN reported "a head injury and internal bleeding in the accident," notes the Times.
Kargola, born Nov. 29, 1983, was a member of the Metal Mulisha FMX team who started riding at age 12. He became a professional racer at 16 and competed in Moto X events at the X Games every year from 2001 to 2010. He won a silver medal for best trick at Winter X in 2005, ESPN reported.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
