A NASCAR contractor has died at 53 years old after being electrocuted while setting up for the Chicago Street Race.
Duane Tabinski, the founder of an events company that was hired to install audio equipment for the race, died in a tragic accident on Friday.
Nascar said in a statement that a worker had “suffered a fatal medical emergency.”
“We are coordinating with local authorities on this tragic incident,” race organizers said.
Nascar added: “We share our condolences to the family and their loved ones.”
Tabinski was pronounced dead in the hospital on Friday morning.
The local ABC affiliate WLS was informed by employees at Tabinski’s event production company, DUANE, that he was assembling a special piece of audio gear called Tracpac that he created during his medical emergency.
“Earlier today he went up into the grandstands and he was able to fire it up for the first time and see it all work, and it was one of the happiest days of his life,” said Ken Sorrell, director of business development at DUANE.
According to Sorrell, Tabinski was a native of Winnipeg in the Canadian province of Manitoba and resided in Nashville, Tennessee, at the time of his passing.
He had previously set up production gear for huge concerts and Nascar races.
“He never treated a client like a client,” Sorrell said.
The coworker added: “He treats everyone like a friend, and he’s always looking for ways to do things better and make everyone happier,” Sorrell said.
The company had been Tabinski’s dream since he was 17, Sorrell said, adding that his loved ones promised to continue his legacy.
“We’re gonna carry on. We’re gonna keep doing things,” he said.
We’re going to make him proud by performing at this NASCAR event and all other productions, Sorrell continued.
The Chicago Street Race, which is scheduled for Sunday night, will be a first for the Nascar Cup Series.
The family of Tabinski is traveling to Chicago, Illinois. Sorrel spoke to the publication on Saturday night.
