Racing champion killed when his skid loader slides into MN ditch, officials say
A race car driver who was operating a skid loader was killed when the loader accidentally became stuck in a drainage ditch on its side.
Dustin Lucius Virkus, a race car competitor, was inside a skid loader when it slid into a drainage ditch Aug. 20 in Clarkfield, Minnesota, the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
The sheriff’s office received a 911 call about the incident in the middle of the day and responded.
“Upon arrival, emergency responders found the skid loader on its side, fully submerged in a drainage ditch,” officials said in the statement.
“After an extended effort, rescue teams were able to recover the operator from the equipment. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene.”
A skid loader, or a skid steer, is a piece of construction equipment used for digging, construction purposes, landscaping, or removing snow. They can weigh between 1,750 to 2,200 pounds, BigRentz details. They can come with cab enclosures to ensure the safety of the person operating the machinery.
Wissota Auto Racing, an association that promotes specific race tracks in multiple states including Minnesota, Wisconsin and others, posted about the passing of Virkus, who was a former racer.
“Dustin was a formidable competitor and a friend to many. As our first two time Hornet National Champion, he will forever hold a special place in our history books,” the association said in an Aug. 21 Facebook post.
Clarkfield is about a 140-mile drive west from Minneapolis.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 2:38 PM with the headline "Racing champion killed when his skid loader slides into MN ditch, officials say."