LA county sheriff’s deputy dies after medical emergency during relay race

Levi Vargas, 30, was competing in Baker to Vegas race through Mojave desert as US south-west faces extreme heat

Los Angeles county sheriff’s deputy Levi Vargas died on Saturday after a medical emergency while participating in an annual relay race through the Mojave desert. He was 30 years old.

Vargas had been competing at the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup relay race, which follows a 120-mile (193km) course from Baker, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, through the Mojave desert. Several law enforcement agencies send 20-runner teams annually to compete in the race.