Coroner identifies drag racer who died during event at Derry track

A man who died while competing in an event Saturday afternoon at Keystone Raceway in Derry has been identified by authorities.

The victim was identified as Ronnie John Ruggiero, 37, of Irwin, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson.

Ruggiero was drag racing a pickup when he failed to stop at the end of the track and went into a gravel safety pit at a high rate of speed, Carson said.

The vehicle was stopped by a sand mound in the pit, but Ruggiero died from the injuries he suffered, the coroner said.

Carson said Ruggiero was wearing a helmet and was strapped into the vehicle with a five-point harness. He was pronounced dead at the scene.