One dead after mud-racing car hits tractor at Macoupin County Fairgrounds

A 49-year-old man from New York has died when a mud-racing drag car crashed into a tractor at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds.

The deceased was identified as Kelly Odell of Williamson, New York, according to the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities the sheriff’s office responded about 9:30 p.m. Thursday to an accident reported on the fairgrounds in Carlinville. Deputies who were on scene at the time of the crash said a mud-drag car went off the end of the racetrack and struck a tractor.

The sheriff’s office said Odell was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Carlinville Area Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by Macoupin County Coroner Brad Targetta at 9:35 p.m.

The mud-racing event was part of the Macoupin County Fair, which runs through Saturday.

Macoupin County Fair Board President Brandon Oxley said Odell’s death “was a tragic accident and a great loss to the racing family that we partner with during the county fair.”

The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office and the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office were investigating the crash.

Shipman Fire and Rescue assisted the sheriff’s office on scene Thursday night.

This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 7:26 AM with the headline "One dead after mud-racing car hits tractor at Macoupin County Fairgrounds."