Driver dies from injuries, journalist wounded in Rockingham Dragway wreck

ROCKINGHAM — A race driver suffered fatal injuries and a freelance journalist was injured when a car spun and flipped over the wall at Rockingham Dragway during the PDRA Spring Nationals on Saturday, according to sheriff’s deputies and Drag Illustrated magazine.

The magazine reported that 66-year-old Ronnie Davis of Suwanee, Georgia, died from his injuries Sunday at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Davis was a five-time IHRA world champion and the reigning Top Sportsman class champion in the Professional Drag Racers Association.

Davis had lost control of his Chevrolet Corvette during a final qualifying run Saturday. Video from the race shows Davis’ car going airborne, careening from the left lane into the right lane and spinning in the air above the retaining wall.

Photographer and writer Ian Tocher was struck by debris from Davis’ car. Tocher, 55, of Roswell, Georgia, had covered Davis for Drag Illustrated and other publications, the magazine said.

Drag Illustrated described Davis and Tocher as “two friends with close ties to the Professional Drag Racers Association.”

PDRA medical staff and Hamlet firefighters and medics were on scene to provide first aid, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

“Everyone went into action very quickly,” Chief Deputy Mark Gulledge said.

Tocher was airlifted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and Davis was initially taken to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst before being transferred to the Chapel Hill hospital, Gulledge said.

Deputies do not suspect foul play in the wreck and described it as a racing accident.

The car and equipment were taken for further investigation by the sheriff’s office and PDRA officials.

God Speed Ministries chaplain Renee Bingham led racers, crew members, sponsors and officials in a prayer for the victims Saturday afternoon, Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood wrote on the drag strip’s Facebook page.

According to the magazine, Davis is survived by two daughters, Michelle Seger and Bridgett Medina, both of Texas; and his longtime companion, Micki Dearing of Suwanee.

Visit YourDailyJournal.com for updates to this developing story.

Live video of the PDRA Spring Nationals captured Ronnie Davis’ Chevrolet Corvette in midair during a wreck that injured Davis and journalist Ian Tocher. Both men were admitted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where Davis died from his injuries.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_dragwaywreck-4.jpgLive video of the PDRA Spring Nationals captured Ronnie Davis’ Chevrolet Corvette in midair during a wreck that injured Davis and journalist Ian Tocher. Both men were admitted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where Davis died from his injuries.