Fidel Avilés Geraldo has succumbed to his injuries caused by a fire that broke out while refueling his bike at the Coyote 300 on June 15.

The Coyote 300 was the fourth round of the seven-race Probaja Desert Series. Avilés arrived at the pit area to have his #159X serviced by two crew members; the crewmen inserted the gas can together and held it when one left to get a bottle of water for Avilés. The other continued to hold the can and adjusted it, causing the nozzle to detach and spill fuel on the bike; Avilés briefly hopped back as he looked down at the mess before getting back onto the saddle to see if it would restart. As the first crewman returned, the bike suddenly burst into flames.

Avilés suffered severe burns and was taken to an ISSSTE hospital (Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado). Despite doctors’ efforts, he died from his injuries two weeks later.

Nicknamed “Periquín”, Avilés won the Novatos MX class at the 2023 Costera 250 alongside Joan Manríquez followed by the 2024 Coyote 300 with Fernando Avilés and Brandon Cruz.

Video of the accident went viral soon after the race, with many quickly raising concerns about race personnel not being properly trained for dangerous situations. Such concerns were further amplified by an accident in the race when a truck that careened off course in La Fragua near Márquez de León and hit a tent, injuring a 13-year-old boy. After being treated for head and pelvic injuries, the child has snce been discharged.

Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío, the Governor of Baja California Sur, announced soon after that “there is no reason to ban” desert racing but is open to passing regulations on organizers to ensure events are safe for everyone.