Update: Drag racer Doug Herbert's sons killed in accident

Update: Doug and Sonnie have released the following statement,

Our kids have always been our best friends and the bond between the two of us. As you can imagine, the loss we are both feeling for Jon and James at the moment is unimaginable.

As brothers, they were always together and were each other’s best friend. Jon loved music and cars. He was a dreamer, happy, peaceful, and was most pleased when everyone got along. James loved to skateboard and ride dirt bikes, but he had the kindest heart and was compassionate to all.

Our very special boys also loved their little sister, Jessie, who already misses her big brothers.

Our family is deeply grateful for the wishes and prayers from our friends, the community and the boy’s classmates at SouthLake Christian Academy. Our boys would not like everyone to be upset and cry right now, so please smile when you think of them. Thank you for keeping Jon, James, Jessie and our entire family in your prayers as we work through this time of sorrow.

Originally posted on January 26th: Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert’s two sons — Jon, 17, and James, 12 — were killed this morning in a motor vehicle accident in Cornelius, North Carolina. The boys, who were riding in a Mazda3, attempted to pass another car when it lost control and they collided with a Hummer.

Doug was in Arizona for preseason testing when the accident took place, but he is now home with his family.

The family is asking that memorial contributions be made to Speedway Children’s Charities in Jon and James’ names. Condolences can be sent to Raymer Funeral Home, 16901 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, N.C. 28078, or via email.

Jon and James are survived by their father, their mom Sonnie, and 9-year-old sister Jessica.

Source: NHRA and Doug Herbert Racing

Thanks to CBB reader Paige.

Comments

how very very sad…my heart goes out to the family.

- amanda on January 26th, 2008

That’s just awful.. my heart breaks for them.

- ARRiSON on January 26th, 2008

How heart-wrenching. There really are no words in situations such as these. My prayers are with the family.

- Brooke on January 26th, 2008

How terrible to not only loose one child, but two at the same time. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

- Lauren22 on January 26th, 2008

hummers are bad for the environment and really bad if you crash into one. boycott hummer.

- jolopee on January 26th, 2008

How incredibly sad. Many prayers for the family.

- Kellie on January 26th, 2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to this family. We live in nearby Huntersville, NC.

- Loralee on January 26th, 2008

Oh my goodness, I have no words. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jon and James’ family.

- ally on January 26th, 2008

OMG! Sooo sad! ( My heart really aches for them during this difficult time. To lose two beautiful precious children this way. He now has two more angels watching down on him from heaven. To lose one child is one thing- but having two snatched away at once. Sometimes life really is that cruel. ( I didn’t even know them or know who they were before this but this is so gutwrenchingly sad.

- Marie on January 27th, 2008

As a huge NHRA fan, I am deeply saddened by this news. He was really proud of those boys. My thoughts and prayers are with Doug and his family.

- Lauren B on January 27th, 2008

This is so very tragic. I’m not a parent, but the thought of losing two of my siblings in one fell swoop is unbearable. The boys and their family will be in my prayers. So very, very sad.

- Annina on January 27th, 2008

What a terribe tragedy – every parent’s worst nightmare.

My thoughts go out to this family.

- Mama Llama on January 27th, 2008

Oh my God! My heart goes out to his family, what a TRAGIC loss. I couldn’t and never want to have to imagine that happening. To lose one child is torture but to lose two is just….unbelieveable. God rest their souls and be with their family.

- Harley on January 27th, 2008

this is so sad. i am not acquainted with the names, but i have emailed my condolence. thank you so much CBB for adding the email..i know that our kind words cannot replace their losses, but i know that it can comfort them.

Scherria

The Bahamas

- SCHERRIEA on January 27th, 2008

What a tragedy. So, so sad.

- anonymous on January 27th, 2008

Absolutely unbearable….. when I hear about such gut-wrenching stories as this it helps me keep my problems in perspective. Unimaginable pain…. God bless all family and friends. And their poor little sister Jessica…. I can’t even think of her level of grief.

- Campbell on January 27th, 2008

My condolences to the family. How absolutely horrible… I would think that the worst part wouldn’t be now, when you are still in shock, but rather later when there are always empty seats at the dinner table. That would just be unbearable, IMO.

- Elizabeth on January 27th, 2008

That is why I don’t agree with passing cars. Unless you can see that 30 cars away there are no cars, then pass.

- Jen on January 27th, 2008

No one should have to go through pain like this. I can never understand why things like this happen…but I guess it’s not for us to understand.

RIP Jon & James

My thoughts and prayers are definitely with the family during this heartbreaking time.

- jasmine on January 27th, 2008

How incredibly awful. My deepest prayers are with the Herbert family and friends of Jon and James.

- katie on January 27th, 2008

What a tragedy. I can’t even imagine.

- Sarah on January 27th, 2008

I could never imagine the shock and pain. My deepest thought and prayers are with the family.

- NIta on January 27th, 2008

What a tragic, and sadly avoidable accident. I feel so bad for the parents of these two boys, but at the same time can’t help but wonder what would possess anyone to drive 85 miles per hour in a 45 zone and cross the double yellow lines to pass a car going in the wrong direction. Parental negligence and definite lack of common sense are a very sad commentary on what could have been an even worse tragedy…pedestrians (including parents with strollers) walk and jog along the sidewalks of Jetton Road at any given time of day. It’s a miracle an innocent person wasn’t killed.

- Dana on January 27th, 2008

At least one “innocent” person WAS killed, as I’m sure the 12-year-old wasn’t the one driving.

I can’t blame the poor kid (the 17-year-old) for trying it. It took a near accident to scare me into avoiding that kind of risk when I was exactly that age. And that was on a stretch of road where it was actually legal to pass. It’s just one of those things young kids do when they think they have a handle on how to drive.

My heart goes out to that family.

- Elle on January 27th, 2008

There are no words….my thoughts and prayers are with this family

- CTBmom on January 28th, 2008

We can all agree what a tragic accident that was. We all know what caused the accident, but nothing will bring those boys back. Every day we each make judgment when behind the wheels, some are good ones and some are bad ones. I just think that we should all be considered should the family go online, they have enough pain to deal with; they don’t need to read about us pointing out the obvious. My heart as a parent aches for them.

It seems like everyday I’m reading about children dying.

Go home and hug your children tight tonight and tell them how much they are loved…tomorrow is not guaranteed to any of us…….

Doug and Sonnie statement is so positive and courageous. May God bless the entire family.

Michelle Nicole

- Miohelle Nicole on January 28th, 2008

My condolences to the Herbert’s family. I know the young boys are resting in peace.

- Jay on January 28th, 2008

We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Those kids are every thing to them and now they will be the eye in the sky for all to llok up to. So sorry about your loss…

- The Ludwig Family on January 28th, 2008

This is the main reason why I loathe Hummers. Essentially, they kill. What a horrible tragedy to lose not only one child, but two. My heart goes out to this family. I am so very sorry for your loss of your boys.

- Ginger on January 28th, 2008

Actually, the Hummer didn’t kill them. The fact that they were going 85 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone, and crossed the center double yellow lines (even though it’s a four-lane road) did. Most likely, if the father and daughter in the Hummer had been in another car they would be dead now also. It’s probably only the fact that it was such a sturdy vehicle that the father only had to be air lifted to Carolina’s Medical Center and the daughter taken by ambulance and both will recover. Jetton Road is the main road into The Peninsula, a country club community and a very busy area where people jog and walk on the sidewalks and parents push their baby’s strollers. It’s a miracle no pedestrians were killed due to one boy’s horrible lack of judgement. I truly feel for the parents, as I am a parent myself, but my daughter will be read the Riot Act about driving responsibly when she comes of age and if she ever drives irresponsibly (speeding, drinking, etc.) she won’t get behind the wheel again until she’s 21. Plus, her uncle who’s a state trooper would probably throw her in jail just to teach her a lesson. What a horrible lesson these boys had to learn, that speed kills, and their parents and little sister are the ones left behind to suffer needlessly. Sorry if it sounds like I’m lecturing. It just makes me mad and very sad when a tragic accident like this occurs and it shouldn’t have.

- Dana on January 28th, 2008

This is so sad, thoughts and prayers to the family

- Nat on January 28th, 2008

I don’t think now is the time to be harping on that boy’s poor sense of judgment. Yes, the accident was avoidable, but ranting about the harm he could have done is pointless. Only he and his younger brother lost their lives as a result of this. A lesson can be learned from this tragedy, but laying on the blame isn’t helping anyone.

- Annina on January 28th, 2008

Oh no, how terrible! There really is no justice in life.

- Hea on January 28th, 2008

It’s an incredibly tragic accident. I would never blame the parents for this. That is just cruel! We wouldn’t blame the parents when it’s a 35 year old who does the same thing, and we hear it all the time on the news.

God Bless the parents of these two boys, and give them the strength to get through this.

- Carol S. on January 28th, 2008

Wow, Dana. I am sorry you felt the need to defend Hummers and then start judging this boy’s fatal decision. Yes, it was a tragic mistake, I will state that. But essentially, when a Hummer is involved in an auto/Hummer collision; it’s the automobile and its passengers that never survive. Sure, it’s great that the Hummer passengers usually end up surviving. But the automobile’s passengers rarely ever do.

- Ginger on January 28th, 2008

please DANA go away-this is very tragic and no one needs to hear any anything negative at this time-as someone who is envolved with NHRA this hits close to home-God Bless the Herbert Family

- kim on January 28th, 2008

Jon,
I sure do miss you man. You were a good friend and I am very happy I got to meet and actually get the privelage to call you a friend. You made an impact on everyone around you. All of the statements your parents have both given out say that you were a peace maker and always tryed to make everyone happy, and that is true. Bud, i know your in a better place and I can’t wait to see you again so we can hang out again. I sure am going to miss stealing the keys to the mazdyspeedie from dustin and giving them back to you. I love you brother.

RIP JON and JAMES

- Kevin on January 29th, 2008

How sad:-( God bless their family.

This is why I’m glad that here you have to be 18 to get a driver’s licence.

- Sanja on January 29th, 2008

My husband is a drag racer and customer of Herbert Performance Products and I have been by his side in drag racing. We have 4 sons and 1 daughter in our family. When I heard the tragic news yesterday I was devastated. Our prayers, thoughts and love go out to the family. I can not imagine the sorrow. I wanted the family to know that so many are thinking of them and praying for strength in this their time of need.

- Paul & Julie Shell on January 29th, 2008

I WILL MISS BOTH JON-BOY AND JAMES. I KNEW THEM BOTH PERSONALY, THERE FATHER AND MOTHER TOO. KEEP DOUG AND SONNIE IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

- HG SHELTON on January 29th, 2008

Doug Herbert is one of the finest human beings my husband and I have ever met. We are part of the Snap On family and every event we have ever attended Doug has greeted us as if we are old friends. What a very tragic loss for Doug and his family. We are so deeply sorry that this has happened to such a wonderful man. Doug, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you.

- Jim and Ellen Pride on January 30th, 2008

I am so deeply sad for this family. How tragic to lose 2 beautiful, young boys so early in their lives. My heart and prayers go out to the family. I am so sorry and you must know that many, myself at least, are praying for your family and for your strength to live through this situation.
Again, I am so sorry!
God bless this family!
~Alison

- Alison on January 30th, 2008

Doug Herbert is a fine human being, and doesn’t deserve this. I’ve known Doug for many years been involved with NHRA for 20 years plus and knew his boys also. Doug my prayers are with you. Go out and with for them. I will be routine for you

- Fast Eddie on January 30th, 2008

My thought’s and prayer’s to the family.

- Bill S. on February 3rd, 2008

Herberts you will be in our prayers – very sad.

- mike on February 10th, 2008

I can’t believe some of the comments people are making. We all know that their son should not have been going that fast. He was so young and everybody makes mistakes. It’s just too bad that this tragedy has happened because of this mistake. Two innocent lives were lost and some of you people on this site are totally out of line for making those cruel comments. If you are a parent then you should know that kids will be kids. No matter how you’ve raised them they will test the limits. I’m sure that their parents did not know that he was driving the way he was so the blame should NOT be put on them. To Dana, it doesn’t sound like you’re lecturing, you’re being just plain mean and inconsiderate to the family.

My heart goes out to the family. You are all in my prayers.

Remember, only the good die young.

- Kristen on February 23rd, 2008

Wow im very sorry for your loss it must be very hard for you i know it was really hard for me to read this! Because i lost a Brother two and it was very painfull and you all are in my blessings and i hope you all very many wishes God bless!

- Cecilia on April 1st, 2008

i think its horrible wat happened everytime im in a car i wear my seat belt because we just lost a great friend he was a senior in high school from a car accident and i was upset. i am sorry for dougs loss!

- dani on April 10th, 2008

with dougs win this weekend i could almost see two smiling faces from heaven. God bless you all

- kelly morgan on June 29th, 2008

I know jon on world of wracraft me and my guild he use to have and we find out jon and james death on aug 16th, and i was in nc on aug 15th last week, im falled part when i saw all 3 video about jon and james and special 2 video of jon and me and my friends in guild on wow are bulliten still and i have jon toon on my account now he wnated me have it and im most of one his best best best best best friend on wow im known aka neverdies orc warr and im mosty one’s carried him in if we like brothers each toghter when he was 15 i was 17 and we all did open our wings to him and carried as son, brother, friend or best friend we play mosty best part and im mosty best part his meremories in wow i did taken him into my wings as warr class leader in past and now he gone lol and i wrote a book and he is part of it when he was live and my guild and me wish the best and good luck to of herbet family.

- Blake J.gallion on August 26th, 2008