Dave Mirra

David Michael "Dave" Mirra (April 4, 1974 – February 4, 2016[1]) was an American BMX athlete. He was also a driver for Subaru Rally Team USA. He was born in Chittenango, New York.

Dave Mirra
Dave Mirra 2010-08-21 001.jpg
Mirra in 2010
Personal information
NationalityUnited States
Born(1974-04-04)April 4, 1974
Chittenango, New York
DiedFebruary 4, 2016(2016-02-04) (aged 41)
Greenville, North Carolina
OccupationExtreme sports athlete
Height5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
Websitewww.davemirra.com
Sport
SportBMX, rallycross
Updated on February 5, 2016.

Mirra held the record for most X-Games medals until being passed by Bob Burnquist at X Games Munich in 2013. Mirra has won medals in every X Games from when they started in 1995 up to 2008. He has won a total of 24 medals at the X Games.[2] In 2008, he placed second in BMX Big Air and third in Rally Car Racing at the X Games.

He was known mainly as a vert ramp and park rider. He rode and was sponsored by Haro Bikes from the mid 1990s. He later started his own bike company, and rode those instead. In 2004, Mirra appeared on an episode of George Lopez. Mirra was a member of the team which won the 2014 Race Across America Four-Person Male (Under 50) category.[3]

He also was the host for two seasons of MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge.

Personal life and death

Mirra and his wife, Lauren, had two daughters.[4][5] In 2010, Mirra was sick with bacterial meningitis. After he recovered, he went back to rallying.[6]

On February 4, 2016, Mirra died of suicide by a gunshot wound in Greenville, North Carolina.[7] Police answering an emergency call found his body in a truck.[8] He had been visiting friends in the area. Allen Thomas, the mayor of Greenville, said Mirra was "a great friend and wonderful human being".[9] He was 41 years old.[4][10]

Dave Mirra Media

References

  1. DAVE MIRRA @ 23MAG BMX. 23mag.com
  2. Dave Mirra. davemirra.com
  3. "The Legends of the Road". raceacrossamerica.org. Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Los Angeles Times (February 4, 2016). "BMX and X Games star Dave Mirra dies at 41 in apparent suicide". latimes.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  5. "Dave Mirra's Wife Lauren & Children". FabWags. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  6. Alex Johnson. "BMX Legend Dave Mirra Dead of Suspected Suicide". NBC News. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  7. Zack. "The BMX Legend, Dave Mirra (41) Dies". 8c.co.za. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  8. Slotnik, Daniel E. (2016-02-05). David Mirra, BMX Bike Star, Dies in an Apparent Suicide. ISSN 0362-4331 . https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/05/sports/david-mirra-iconic-bmx-bike-racer-dies-in-an-apparent-suicide.html. Retrieved 2016-02-11. 
  9. "X Games icon Dave Mirra, 41, dead of apparent self-inflicted gunshot". espn.com. February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  10. "Dave Mirra, BMX icon, found dead in North Carolina". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved February 5, 2016.