Tragedy Strikes Selmer, Tenn., For Second Time as Dragster Kills Six

Many in Selmer, Tenn., a community of less than 5,000 residents, must be asking themselves how much one community can take. In March 2006, Selmer substitute school teacher Mary Winkler killed her charismatic preacher husband, Matthew Winkler, sending shock waves of disbelief and grief throughout the town. After 15 months of rumors, speculation and a trial, Winkler was convicted and ultimately sentenced to prison on June 8 for her husband's murder.

Then, just eight days later, tragedy struck the community of Selmer again. During a fundraising event, a race car careened off a public roadway and into a crowd of spectators, killing six and injuring at least 18 others.

Saturday's tragedy occurred on the second day of the three-day annual Cars for Kids fundraising show, which was scheduled to run June 15 through June 17. Among the many events were tractor pulls, duck and turkey call contests, fireworks, a poker run and what is called burnouts at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. The three-day extravaganza is a big deal in Selmer. Last year's event raised over $100,000, according to the Cars for Kids website, and 40,000 to 60,000 people were expected to attend the weekend affair.

The website tells of the Cars for Kids, Southern Style history and the promise that its founder, Larry Price, made some 18 years ago. His son was 12 years old at the time and critically injured in a bicycle accident. Price promised God that if his son was allowed to live, he would spend the rest of his life raising funds to help injured, sick, handicapped and needy children throughout the U.S. Out of that promise came Price's annual Car Show/Drag Race/Carnival that was in the works in Selmer on Saturday.

According to the Associated Press, the accident happened during an exhibition burnout toward the end of a parade of everything from antique cars to modern dragsters. In drag racing terminology, a burnout is when the driver spins the rear tires with the brakes applied. The tires heat up, causing them to stick better to the racing surface. The fascination or excitement for spectators is the sound and smoke a burnout produces.