Professional Race Car Driver Ken Block Killed In Accident

Ken Block/Instagram

Ken Block, a rally car champion and DC Shoe Company founder, died Monday (January 1) in a snowmobile accident in Utah. He was 55.

Block’s company, Hoonigan Industries, announced his death in a post made to Instagram that read:

“It’s with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today. Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed. Please respect the family’s privacy at this time while they grieve.”

 

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A post shared by Hoonigan Industries (@thehoonigans)

The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office reported that said that they responded to a phone call about a snowmobile accident around 2 p.m.

“The driver, Kenneth Block, 55-year-old male out of Park City, Utah, was riding a snowmobile on a steep slope when the snowmobile upended, landing on top of him,” a statement issued by police said. “He was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident.”

In addition to racing rally cars, Block was also competitive in motocross and skateboarding. He earned 16 career wins in 60 Rally America races between 2005 and 2014.

Block’s initial fame can be credited to his motorsports success, but he also became a social media star. The driver’s YouTube channel boasts nearly 2 million subscribers and his Instagram account has more than 7 million followers.