Jeremy Lusk funeral service scheduled

Funeral services for Jeremy Lusk, the 24-year-old motocross rider who died late on Monday of head injuries suffered during a freestyle competition, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at the Revival Christian Fellowship Church at 29220 Scott Road in Menifee.

Lusk was injured during a competition in San Jose, Costa Rica. He is survived by his wife, Lauren, and his parents, who were with him when he died.

As Pete Thomas reported on The Times' Outpost blog, the Jeremy Lusk Trust Fund has been set up within the Athlete Recovery Fund. Donations can be made at athleterecoveryfund.com.

The nonprofit organization's goal: "To provide professional athletes in BMX, FMX and Skate Boarding with financial support after a severe injury and granting funds for rehabilitation, equipment, long-term disability and educational scholarships."

Pete reports that, as far as motocross riders and fans can remember, Lusk is the only freestyle motocross rider in memory to die of injuries suffered in competition. Pete attributed that remarkable record to the high skill level among racers. But Pete also noted that:

The problem is, execution has to be nearly perfect to avoid serious consequences -- and top riders, all of whom have experienced injury and concussion, understand that death is possible. Now a fatality has occurred and the FMX community remains in shock and mourning.

Here's a link to the Lusk obituary that Pete wrote for The Times.

-- Greg Johnson

Photo: Jeremy Lusk performs a jump with his bike during the X Knights 2009 freestyle competition in San Jose's Ricardo Saprissa stadium on Feb. 7. Credit: Jeffrey Arguedas / EPA