NASCAR legend Bobby East fatally stabbed in California; police searching for suspect

NASCAR legend Bobby East was fatally stabbed at a gas station in California last week, and police are still searching for the suspect in his killing.

East, a three-time United States Auto Club (USAC) National Champion driver in USAC Silver Crown and Midgets, died Wednesday after being stabbed in the chest at a 76 gas station on Westminster Blvd. in Westminster, California, according to the USAC and police.

“East was phenomenal in USAC National Sprint Cars as well, most notably on pavement tracks,” the USAC said in a Friday statement. “He tallied 15 wins in the series, with the first coming in 2003 at Ohio’s Mansfield Motorsports Speedway. He also prevailed at the Milwaukee Mile in 2005 in what remains as the last USAC Sprint Car race held on a one-mile track.”

The Westminster Police Department is searching for suspect Trent William Millsap, who fled the scene before police arrived. Millsap also has an outstanding parole warrant and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said in a statement.