1990-1999
Sonny Arnett
Born: December 1, 1950
Died: May 7, 1995
Buried: Glen Abbey Memorial Park, Bonita, California
Age: 44
Full Name: Joaquin Arnett, III
Nickname: Sonny
Location: El Mirage Dry Lake, California
Event:
Accident Date: May 7, 1995
Vehicle: Bean Bandits Mark III Streamliner
Biographical: Traveling at about 260 MPH, it was thought that the car ran over a piece of metal debris on the course causing a tire to blow out. A TV crew was at the event and camera men caught the horrific event. It was seen on national television.
Video:
Sources
California Death Index (Joaquin Arnett, born December 1, 1950 in Calif., died May 7, 1995 in San Bernardino Co., mother's maiden name was Cesena)
Social Security Death Index (Joaquin Arnett, born December 1, 1950, died May 7, 1995, SS# issued in Calif. In 1966)
California Birth Index (Joaquin Arnett, born December 1, 1950 in San Diego Co., mother's maiden name was Cesena)
California Marriage Index (Joaquin Arnett, age 31, md. Cynthia A. Stephens, age 24, on Dec. 19, 1981 in San Diego Co.)
Photos
Bruce Johnston
Born: February 26, 1922
Died: June 27, 1998
Buried:
Age: 76
Full Name: Bruce B. Johnston
Nickname:
Location: Rogers (formerly Muroc) Dry Lake, California
Event: SCTA "Return to Muroc Reunion"
Accident Date: June 27, 1998
Vehicle: lakester
Biographical: In 1996, the SCTA returned to Rogers Dry Lake for speed trials. Races hadn't taken place there since 1941, at which time it was called Muroc Dry Lake. Johnston was one of the first to run on Saturday morning in his lakester. He was trying to reach a speed of 200 MPH when the car veered to one side and catapulted into the air. The car overturned several times in the air before hitting the ground. He was transported to Edwards Air Force Base hospital where he was pronounced dead of massive head and chest injuries. He was survived by his widow, Sarah Helen Johnston. They lived in Burbank, California. He was a veteran racer on the dry lakes.
Sources
"76-year-old race car driver from Burbank killed in crash," Los Angeles Daily News, June 29, 1998
California Birth Index (Bruce B. Johnston, born Feb. 26, 1922, in LA Co., mother's maiden name was Sandefer)
1930 U.S. Census (Bruce B. Johnston, age 8, born in Calif., son of Everett E. and Orma S. Johnston, living in Burbank)
U.S. World War II Enlistment Records (Bruce B. Johnston, born 1922 in LA Co., Cal., enlisted in LA, Cal. On Oct. 10, 1942, in Army Air Corps, civil occupation was airplane mechanic, single)
Social Security Death Index (Bruce B. Johnston, born Feb. 26, 1922, died June 27, 1998, SS# issued in Cal. Before 1951, last residence was Burbank, area code 91506)
Photos