A rally driver died after a scary crash that has left his brother in intensive care.
Co-pilot Samuel Ortiz, 30, died instantly in the crash Friday night during the Rallye de La Ceramica 2026 in Spain’s Castellon province as the brothers navigated the CV-189 road between L’Alcora and Onda as part of the race route.
His elder driver brother Jordi, 33, was rushed to a hospital in “very serious condition” and remains in intensive care Sunday, per The Sun.
Organizers quickly decided to suspend the event following Ortiz’s death.
“During the second leg of the Rallye de la Ceramica on Friday, car number 32, crewed by brothers Jordi and Samuel Ortiz, was involved in a serious accident,” Rallye Club Costa Azahar said in a statement. “As a result, co-driver Samuel died at the scene, while the driver was evacuated to Castellon General University Hospital in a very critical condition.
“Upon becoming aware of the situation, the Organizing Committee decided to suspend the event as a sign of mourning and respect. We would like to express our deepest condolences to Samuel’s family and friends, and wish Jordi a speedy recovery.”
The siblings were traveling in a Honda Civic when it went off the road and slammed into a crash barrier.
Firefighters came to the scene and quickly confirmed Samuel’s death on impact after cutting both men from the wreckage.
Since the devastating crash, tributes from the motorsport world have poured in.
JuanFran Perez Llorca, the president of the Valencian government, penned a touching message on X.
“Devastated by the death of Samuel Ortiz at the Rallye de la Cerámica being held in L’Alcora,” he said. “My condolences to his family and to all those who loved him. Much strength to his brother Jordi, who remains hospitalized at the Hospital de Castellón. A very big hug to the entire family.”
“Great sadness in our rally world. A great person leaves us, always smiling,” fellow motorsport enthusiast Jose Ramon Planelles Sanchez said on Facebook. “We will keep taking photos of you wherever you are. “We hope for a speedy recovery for his brother Jordi, who is seriously injured in hospital. A big hug to his family and friends.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
