http://www.swimnews.com/News/displayStory.jhtml?id=3379
Venezuelan Olympic Bronze Medallist Rafael Vidal Killed in Car Crash
Feb 16, 2005
Venezuela's 1984 Olympic bronze medal swimmer, Raul Vidal has been killed in a car crash in his home city of Caracas in Venezuela.
Vidal (41) died instantly after the Toyota Corolla he was driving was hit broadside at high speed by 2 young men in a Hummer reportedly involved in a drag race at the time of the accident.
The driver of the Hummer is Roberto Detto Redelli (24) the passenger a friend, Gabriel Ignacio Sanz (24) are in hospital recovering from injuries.
According to reports it appears that the Hummer was drag-racing a yellow Camaro, which managed to miss Vidal's car, while Detto Redaelli lost control of his vehicle and hit Vidal's Corolla.
Vidal's car was carried 40 meters from the impact before stopping.
Nearby residents confirm that the road is used for drag-races on a daily basis despite traffic lights.
It appears that Vidal was making a left hand turn at the time and that the Hummer went through the red light striking Vidal's car.
Vidal had retired from swimming after the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and had been built a career as a well-know TV personality and sports commentator in Venezuela.
Vidal leaves behind two children aged 8 and 4.
<span class="ev_code_RED">Racing a camaro?</span>