A Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy died while participating in the annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup relay race, marking the first time the competition has lost a participant.
30-year-old Levi Vargas was an 11-year member of the force, serving most recently in the city of San Dimas, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department mourns the loss of Deputy Levi Vargas, who passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the age of 30.
Deputy Vargas joined the Department in 2015 as a Custody Assistant and later graduated from Academy Class 413. He served in several… pic.twitter.com/8k2iKnhWhP
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) March 29, 2026
KNX's Pete Demetriou, who traveled with the teams, said Vargas was running in about 100-degree heat when he collapsed.
“It was about four-and-a-half hours into the run, covering about one quarter of the 120-mile course, and was just a little bit short of the town of Shoshone when the deputy had this medical emergency,” Demetriou said. “
He reported that Vargas was a medical base before being airlifted to a hospital in Las Vegas, where he died.
Over 200 teams were in this year's race, which has been held annually since 1985.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
