LOS ANGELES: At least eight people were killed and 12 others were injured after a vehicle plowed into a crowd of spectators at a popular off-road race in Southern California, MSNBC television reported.

The accident occurred Saturday at 7:40 pm (0240 GMT Sunday) at a race called the California 200, which is traditionally held in Soggy Dry Lake Bed near the city of Lucerne Valley in the Mojave Desert, the report said.

The dry lake is located about 100 miles (165 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles.
The tragedy is being investigated.

BDST: 1419HRS,August 15, 2010