64-year-old pedestrian killed Friday identified as beloved Firebird Raceway employee

BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — A 64-year-old Boise man hit and killed by a car Friday afternoon has been identified as a long-time Firebird Raceway employee.

General manager Scott New announced that 64-year-old Joel Eggers, the raceway's chief starter, was walking on his lunch break near Development Avenue and Robinson Road Friday when the crash happened.

Investigators say the driver, Tyler Martinez of Boise, drove across the center line and struck Eggers, then a nearby fence.

Eggers, who New said has worked there for nearly 28 years, was considered an institution of the Firebird racing family.

"All of us in the New family and our staff are at a loss of words following the news that Joel had passed away on Friday," said Firebird general manger Scott New. "He is someone all of us thought the world of, an extended member of our family and a true friend. We are indebted to his years of working for the raceway and all he did for the sport as our chief starter, mentor and all around good person."

Martinez was arrested on a probation agents warrant and booked into the Ada County Jail. Eggers was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries where he later died.

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