BLM promises to beef up presence at races

WASHINGTON (AP) — Three weeks after eight people died when an off-roader careened into a crowd of onlookers during a race in Johnson Valley, the Bureau of Land Management is promising to increase staffing and crack down on violations of racing permits.

Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein of California asked the BLM to respond to several questions they had after the Aug. 14 accident killed eight people and injured 10.

Bob Abbey, director of the BLM, told the lawmakers in a letter obtained Wednesday that the agency will increase its presence at all the events it approves on federal lands, but he did not provide further specifics. The agency had only one ranger on duty patrolling the course where the accident occurred.

Boxer said the agency’s response makes it clear that more trained personnel need to staff the races.

Brett M. Sloppy, 28, of San Marcos, was driving his modified 2000 Ford Ranger at roughly 45 to 50 miles per hour before losing control and hitting several spectators, according to the California Highway Patrol.