The four-wheeling sport world is mourning the sudden death of Carol Engel, better known as 'Chuck.' The Goochland man died Saturday, July 7, 2012 in a mud bogging accident at Haislip Farm in Fluvanna County.
Engel died when he suddenly lost control of his vehicle- causing it to accelerate - and slammed into a pond full of people swimming. The vehicle then hit the pond dam and overturned. Officers performed CPR on the Engel but could not revive him.
The past 24-hours after the accident have been a struggle for Engel's close friend, Lewis Nash. His kids went to school and played football with Engel's children. He said it feels like he has "a huge pit in [his] heart."
Engel was an avid racer and Nash described him as an upbeat, adventurous spirit. Nash added, "His laugh was indescribable. It was a chuckle that you could hear and know when you heard it. He just loved life."
Engel frequently competed in four-wheeler races at the Virginia Motor Speedway and Good Friday Race Day at the track in April 2012. Speedway spokesman Dave Seay says Sunday, July 8, 2012, is a sad day in the mud bogging sport.
Nash suspects a mechanical malfunction or medical emergency caused Engel to lose control when he crashed into a pond of swimmers. Witnesses said Engel slammed into the water and overturned after he had completed the race.
Engel's son Mason was one of the people trying to pull him out of the mud. Engel is also survived by his wife and four daughters. Nash described them as "great kids," adding, "His kids are gonna hurt the most out of all of us."
While his family and the mud racing community mourn - Nash described how Engel would want to be remembered. "He would say that life is for living and you don't wanna sit back and enjoy the ride - but you wanna go out on a blast and whoa what a ride," he said.
Engel's cause of death has not been determined. The Fluvanna County Sheriff's Office believes the accident could be a result of a medical situation caused by extreme heat or a vehicle malfunction.
