Action Sports Star And Driving Champion Dies At 55
Ken Block earned a name for himself as a professional rally driver and YouTube star for his Hoonigan YouTube channel, which has over 5 million subscribers. He also co-founded the company DC Shoes. According to Steve Arpin, his teammate in the Nitro RallyCross series, “Ken was a legend in his ability to take a vision and make it a reality. He created an industry.”
Just days ago, Ken posted pictures of the snow falling outside his home in Utah. Unfortunately, just yesterday, while he was on a snowmobile, a tragic accident happened that led to Ken’s death.
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Hoonigan Racing released a statement confirming his death. The statement explained, “It’s with 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.”
TMZ reported more details from the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office. Around 2pm yesterday, Ken was riding a snowmobile down a steep slope. The snowmobile upended, landing on top of him. He was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries from the accident. He was 55 years old.
CNN reports that the Sheriff’s office explained, “Mr. Block was riding with a group but was alone when the accident occurred. The State Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause of death. We are saddened to hear of the loss of Kenneth and our hearts are with his family and friends so deeply affected. We thank all of our first responders for their continued service.”
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Block co-founded DC Shoes in 1994 and later sold the company in 2004. After that, he made a career change, going from executive to rally driver and YouTube star. Five years after first getting behind the wheel of a rally car, he was already winning medals. Between 2006 and 2015, he won 5 X Games medals in RallyCross.
Ken is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their three children. His 16-year-old daughter, Lia, is also a rally driver. In 2022, Ken raced with Lucy and Lia in the American Rally Association Championship.
Travis Pastrana, a professional motorsports competitor, told ESPN, “This year, Ken was so happy. At the races, he was happy to be racing with Lucy and to have his daughter racing and to have his kids at most of the races. Few people get to the point in their lives where everything comes together, and to have it all taken away like this is devastating.”
Jensen Button, a former Formula One driver, tweeted, “In shock at the passing of Ken Block. Such a talent that did so much for our sport. He was a true visionary with his own unique style & infectious smile. Our sport lost one of the best today but more importantly a great man.”
