Colombia: Beloved Motor Sports Journalist Luz Piedad Eusse Dies in Tragic Accident at Racing Event

Strong winds caused a large screen to fall into the audience

Location: Colombia, Tocancipá
Date: November 19, 2023

The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late journalist Luz Piedad Eusse, known affectionately as Lupi, who tragically lost her life during a racing event. The journalistic community mourns the untimely passing of a dedicated professional who contributed significantly to the field of motorsport journalism.

“Colombian automotive journalism is in mourning in the face of this serious loss,” stated The Motor City news agency following the death of renowned sports journalist Luz Piedad Eusse.

Lupi, who hosted the Cars and Motorcycles show at Blu Radio for 11 years, tragically lost her life at the Tocancipá racetrack during the 2023 Ford Motorcraft Season Grand Finale on November 19.

While attending the event with her two daughters, aged 6 and 8, as a spectator, a giant screen, affected by strong winds, fell on the audience, leading to Lupi's death. Among the injured were five people, including one of Lupi's daughters.

Eyewitness accounts from the event described the terrifying moments leading up to the tragedy. “On the largest terrace, there is a giant screen where they usually broadcast the event live. Today the screen was not working, and instead, the wind rocked it several times until it began to slowly fall on us," a witness recounted.

Investigations into the cause of screen collapse are being conducted. Two months ago, at the same venue, motorbike driver Lady Díaz Joya died in a racing accident at the Honda Colombia Grand Prix, raising concerns about the safety protocols in place at the Tocancipá racetrack. 

Blu Radio, Lupi's home in the world of broadcasting, expressed profound sorrow and sympathy for the Eusse family. “We mourn her departure and will remember her with immense gratitude for illuminating the program with her charisma, spark, and passion for her profession,” Blu Radio stated.

Lupi's multifaceted career extended beyond radio, as she was a familiar face on national television, presenting programs and commentating on the sport. Her deep connection with motorsports was evident not only through her journalism but also in her achievements as a TC 2000 driver. In 2015, she became the champion of the category, making her the sole woman to secure the title for an entire season.

In an interview with Estelita sin Tabujos, Lupi revealed her lifelong passion for cars, saying, "When I was little, I didn't have dolls. I always had cars." Her journey in sports journalism, particularly in the male-dominated field of motor racing, was fraught with challenges. As Lupi acknowledged in the past, "Motor racing is a man's sport. Managing to break through in a macho environment has been very difficult and rewarding."

Tributes have flooded social media, underscoring Lupi's profound impact on her colleagues and friends. Sylvia Patiño, editorial coordinator of Blu Radio, expressed her love, saying, "My adored Lupi... always with a smile, always loving, always special."

As we mourn the loss of Luz Piedad Eusse, we celebrate her indomitable spirit and the mark she left on journalism and motorsports. Our deepest condolences go out to her family, friends, and colleagues during this challenging time.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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