Bigfoot Driver Dan Runte Killed in Motorcycle Crash

Legendary monster truck driver Dan Runte of Illinois was killed in a motorcycle crash with an SUV Friday morning in Franklin County, Mo., according to Runte's family.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Osage Street and Cedar Drive around 9:30 a.m.

According to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse SUV, driven by a 40-year-old Pacific man, was headed westbound and attempted to make a left turn when it crossed into the path of an eastbound 2014 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The SUV struck the front of Runte's motorcycle.

Runte, 61, of Villa Ridge, was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:53 a.m., and the body was taken to the St. Louis County Morgue.

The driver of the SUV was taken by Meramec ambulance to the hospital with moderate injuries, according to the crash report.

Both vehicles were totaled and towed.

"The Monster Jam family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dan Runte," said a post on X from the Monster Jam account. "Dan will always be remembered as a pioneer of monster trucks and a trailblazer in the motorsports industry."

Runte was known as one of the greatest monster truck drivers of all time as he drove "Bigfoot" full time for years.

Runte's fan page online said that he was an eight-time Monster Truck Driver of the Year, a five-time Monster Truck Tour Series Champion and won numerous other awards.

He also held the record for the longest jump in a monster truck on four occasions.

https://monstertruck.fandom.com/wiki/Dan_Runte