Inland Valley

It’s been feast or famine for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car driver Jack Beckman.

The 2012 series champion, who won the title on the final day of the season at Auto Club Dragway at Fairplex by two points over Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps, went 29 months and 54 national events without a victory. He snapped that streak in March at the Four-Wide Nationals in Concord, N.C.

Nine weeks later, Beckman pushed his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger back into the winner’s circle at Heartland Park Topeka in the most successful day in class history. Beckman, who failed to qualify for the season-opening Winternationals at Fairplex, became the first Funny Car driver with four consecutive runs in the 3-second range, the last one against John Force in the finals.

In all, ‘Fast Jack’ had five such runs at the event. The Norco resident leads the class with 11 sub-4-second efforts.

“I never thought we would see four (3-second passes) in a row and five total,” Beckman said. “It was absolutely unbelievable. We had an outstanding weekend of racing. That’s a function of a (crew chief) Jimmy Prock tune-up. He’s a mad scientist. He can take a car that is really, really screwed up and break it down into segments going down the track. He figures it out quickly.

“I always feared pulling up to one of his race cars on race day (when Prock was crew chief for John Force Racing). Now I’m taking a lot of comfort in knowing that we might now be doing that to the car in the other lane.”

There was another reason Beckman relished the Topeka win.

“The win was a little bit cooler than Charlotte because Charlotte was almost surreal. It had been so long and you think you are still capable of doing it and we just couldn’t win a race,” Beckman said, long back at his drought. “Then all of a sudden we won, but it was only a three-round race. Topeka we won a four-round race.”

Not only did Beckman run consistently in the Midwest, he also set personal record. Beckman posted his quickest time ever (3.972 seconds over 1,000 feet) and his fastest run (322.04 mph). It’s become apparent Prock, who joined Beckman’s team this season, and assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham will be title contenders now that they’ve recovered from the Pomona misstep.

The Infinite Hero team, over the span of the last seven NHRA national events, has scored more points than any other Funny Car entries, thanks to the two wins and one runner-up finish. Beckman, who has taught more than 7,000 students at the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School, left Pomona with five points. He trailed winner, and DSR teammates, Matt Hagen by 102 and Ron Capps by 89.

Capps is now the class leader, by five over Hagan and 49 over Beckman. The trio of DSR drivers have won six of the eight national events this season.

Irwindale Speedway

The SRL Spears Southwest Tour returns to the half-mile oval Saturday night, for a 100-lap race, with a very interesting twist.

In his 33-year racing career, M.K. Kanke has been very successful in the Southwest Tour and Irwindale. In addition to the usual competition, the 2009 series champion will be facing son Cale, who will be making his Tour debut.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be pretty cool to be out there with both Cale and I racing together,” said the Frazier Park resident. “Cale has run his legends car, then moved to the dirt modified, so this will be his next step. “

Long Beach driver Jeff Bischofberger leads the points race after three of the nine SRL races. It’s a tight race with five drivers — Greg Voigt, Tracy Bolin, Carlos Vieira and Ryan Cansdale– separated by 36 points.

In the accompanying spec SRL S2 Tours, Arcadia’s Johnny Butler leads by nine over Bakersfield’s Cory Elliott. Todd Cameron is third after four of the 10 races with Natasha Dodd in fourth.

Also on the card will be Legends, Chad Schug from Oak Hills is the points leader, ahead of North Hills’ Jordan Hyland. Also, the Irwindale Race Trucks will also compete with Lawndale’s Ken Michaelian in the lead.

IndyCar update

In direct response to Verizon IndyCar Series racers going airborne and flipping upside down last month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the sanctioning body has modified its aero kits for Honda and Chevrolet

IndyCar will use closure panels to the rear wheel guards beginning with this weekend’s race at Texas Motor Speedway and the June 27 MAV TV 500 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

“This has been a collaborative effort with both manufacturers and they have been working on these since the Indianapolis 500 qualifications,” said Will Phillips, IndyCar vice president of technology. “These closure panels serve as a blocker so air cannot flow through the rear wheel guards. This will ultimately raise the point at which cars would experience lift when traveling backward.”

Pit stops

With his podium finish of the year for Chino-based Yoshimura Suzuki in the AMA Lucas Oil Pro Motorcross Championship, Grand Terrace’s Blake Baggett has vaulted to third in the overall standings. Baggett was fourth and third in the Lakewood, Colo., Nationals motos. “In the second moto, I was fortunate enough to get a little bit of a gift when the leader (Eli Tomac) went down and I able to finish third. I’m just plugging away and keep getting better and better … I’m just excited to keep improving.” Tomac hurt his shoulders and is out for the outdoor season. … Ken McWilliams is quite the competitor whenever Perris Auto Speedway holds a Night of Destruction. The third one of the season is set for Saturday night with McWilliams leading in three of the four championship points races (Figure 8 Class, Figure 8 Trailer Class and combined overall) and second in Democross. Fans can get autographs and pictures with drivers at 5:30 p.m. … The California Lightning Sprint Car Series is at Ventura Raceway Saturday night for the seventh stop in its 17-race series. Also on the card are the VRA Sprint Cars, Senior Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, Dwarf Cars, Hobby Stocks, Junior Midgets and Mini Dwarfs. Racing starts at 5:30 p.m.

It’s been feast or famine for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car driver Jack Beckman.

The 2012 series champion, who won the title on the final day of the season at Auto Club Dragway at Fairplex by two points over Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps, went 29 months and 54 national events without a victory. He snapped that streak in March at the Four-Wide Nationals in Concord, N.C.

Nine weeks later, Beckman pushed his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger back into the winner’s circle at Heartland Park Topeka in the most successful day in class history. Beckman, who failed to qualify for the season-opening Winternationals at Fairplex, became the first Funny Car driver with four consecutive runs in the 3-second range, the last one against John Force in the finals.

In all, ‘Fast Jack’ had five such runs at the event. The Norco resident leads the class with 11 sub-4-second efforts.

“I never thought we would see four (3-second passes) in a row and five total,” Beckman said. “It was absolutely unbelievable. We had an outstanding weekend of racing. That’s a function of a (crew chief) Jimmy Prock tune-up. He’s a mad scientist. He can take a car that is really, really screwed up and break it down into segments going down the track. He figures it out quickly.

“I always feared pulling up to one of his race cars on race day (when Prock was crew chief for John Force Racing). Now I’m taking a lot of comfort in knowing that we might now be doing that to the car in the other lane.”

There was another reason Beckman relished the Topeka win.

“The win was a little bit cooler than Charlotte because Charlotte was almost surreal. It had been so long and you think you are still capable of doing it and we just couldn’t win a race,” Beckman said, long back at his drought. “Then all of a sudden we won, but it was only a three-round race. Topeka we won a four-round race.”

Not only did Beckman run consistently in the Midwest, he also set personal record. Beckman posted his quickest time ever (3.972 seconds over 1,000 feet) and his fastest run (322.04 mph). It’s become apparent Prock, who joined Beckman’s team this season, and assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham will be title contenders now that they’ve recovered from the Pomona misstep.

The Infinite Hero team, over the span of the last seven NHRA national events, has scored more points than any other Funny Car entries, thanks to the two wins and one runner-up finish. Beckman, who has taught more than 7,000 students at the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School, left Pomona with five points. He trailed winner, and DSR teammates, Matt Hagen by 102 and Ron Capps by 89.

Capps is now the class leader, by five over Hagan and 49 over Beckman. The trio of DSR drivers have won six of the eight national events this season.

Irwindale Speedway

The SRL Spears Southwest Tour returns to the half-mile oval Saturday night, for a 100-lap race, with a very interesting twist.

In his 33-year racing career, M.K. Kanke has been very successful in the Southwest Tour and Irwindale. In addition to the usual competition, the 2009 series champion will be facing son Cale, who will be making his Tour debut.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be pretty cool to be out there with both Cale and I racing together,” said the Frazier Park resident. “Cale has run his legends car, then moved to the dirt modified, so this will be his next step. “

Long Beach driver Jeff Bischofberger leads the points race after three of the nine SRL races. It’s a tight race with five drivers — Greg Voigt, Tracy Bolin, Carlos Vieira and Ryan Cansdale– separated by 36 points.

In the accompanying spec SRL S2 Tours, Arcadia’s Johnny Butler leads by nine over Bakersfield’s Cory Elliott. Todd Cameron is third after four of the 10 races with Natasha Dodd in fourth.

Also on the card will be Legends, Chad Schug from Oak Hills is the points leader, ahead of North Hills’ Jordan Hyland. Also, the Irwindale Race Trucks will also compete with Lawndale’s Ken Michaelian in the lead.

IndyCar update

In direct response to Verizon IndyCar Series racers going airborne and flipping upside down last month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the sanctioning body has modified its aero kits for Honda and Chevrolet

IndyCar will use closure panels to the rear wheel guards beginning with this weekend’s race at Texas Motor Speedway and the June 27 MAV TV 500 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

“This has been a collaborative effort with both manufacturers and they have been working on these since the Indianapolis 500 qualifications,” said Will Phillips, IndyCar vice president of technology. “These closure panels serve as a blocker so air cannot flow through the rear wheel guards. This will ultimately raise the point at which cars would experience lift when traveling backward.”

Pit stops

With his podium finish of the year for Chino-based Yoshimura Suzuki in the AMA Lucas Oil Pro Motorcross Championship, Grand Terrace’s Blake Baggett has vaulted to third in the overall standings. Baggett was fourth and third in the Lakewood, Colo., Nationals motos. “In the second moto, I was fortunate enough to get a little bit of a gift when the leader (Eli Tomac) went down and I able to finish third. I’m just plugging away and keep getting better and better … I’m just excited to keep improving.” Tomac hurt his shoulders and is out for the outdoor season. … Ken McWilliams is quite the competitor whenever Perris Auto Speedway holds a Night of Destruction. The third one of the season is set for Saturday night with McWilliams leading in three of the four championship points races (Figure 8 Class, Figure 8 Trailer Class and combined overall) and second in Democross. Fans can get autographs and pictures with drivers at 5:30 p.m. … The California Lightning Sprint Car Series is at Ventura Raceway Saturday night for the seventh stop in its 17-race series. Also on the card are the VRA Sprint Cars, Senior Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, Dwarf Cars, Hobby Stocks, Junior Midgets and Mini Dwarfs. Racing starts at 5:30 p.m.

LOS ANGELES — Attorneys for the adult stepchildren of the wealthy widow who died after the former Bruce Jenner rear-ended her car have fired back at his claims their clients have no right to sue for wrongful death and that the case should be dismissed.

Jenner’s lawyers maintain Dana Redmond, 60, and William Howe, 57, were not financially dependent on 69-year-old victim Kim Howe before her Feb. 7 death on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The lawyers maintain the pair had no legal standing to bring the case.

But in their lawsuit filed May 1 in Los Angeles Superior Court, the stepchildren say they were dependent on Kim Howe and have incurred bills as well as out-of-pocket damages and losses. In additional court papers filed Friday, lawyers for the plaintiffs state the 65-year-old Jenner is trying to escape liability for the woman’s death with his dismissal motion.

“Without any knowledge about the relationship between Ms. Howe and her stepchildren of more than 40 years, Mr. Jenner makes bald assertions about their relationship,” the plaintiffs’ lawyers state in their court papers. “Stepchildren can be just as much children to their parents.”

The Redmond-William Howe attorneys say they can bring more information if necessary to support their claim the stepchildren counted on the decedent financially.

“Plaintiffs are able to set forth a variety of facts to demonstrate that not only did they have a very real relationship with Ms. Howe during the 40 years that she was their stepmother, but that they relied on her at least to some extent, for some of the necessities of life,” according to the plaintiffs’ attorneys court papers.

The fact that family members live in different parts of the country does not prevent them from “having a real relationship or from being financially dependent upon one another,” according to the plaintiffs’ attorneys court papers.

Although the court papers on both sides refer to Jenner by his former identity, the ex-Olympian now wants to be referred to as Caitlyn Jenner.

A hearing on the dismissal motion is scheduled June 16 before Judge Teresa Beaudet.

LOS ANGELES — Attorneys for the adult stepchildren of the wealthy widow who died after the former Bruce Jenner rear-ended her car have fired back at his claims their clients have no right to sue for wrongful death and that the case should be dismissed.

Jenner’s lawyers maintain Dana Redmond, 60, and William Howe, 57, were not financially dependent on 69-year-old victim Kim Howe before her Feb. 7 death on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The lawyers maintain the pair had no legal standing to bring the case.

But in their lawsuit filed May 1 in Los Angeles Superior Court, the stepchildren say they were dependent on Kim Howe and have incurred bills as well as out-of-pocket damages and losses. In additional court papers filed Friday, lawyers for the plaintiffs state the 65-year-old Jenner is trying to escape liability for the woman’s death with his dismissal motion.

“Without any knowledge about the relationship between Ms. Howe and her stepchildren of more than 40 years, Mr. Jenner makes bald assertions about their relationship,” the plaintiffs’ lawyers state in their court papers. “Stepchildren can be just as much children to their parents.”

The Redmond-William Howe attorneys say they can bring more information if necessary to support their claim the stepchildren counted on the decedent financially.

“Plaintiffs are able to set forth a variety of facts to demonstrate that not only did they have a very real relationship with Ms. Howe during the 40 years that she was their stepmother, but that they relied on her at least to some extent, for some of the necessities of life,” according to the plaintiffs’ attorneys court papers.

The fact that family members live in different parts of the country does not prevent them from “having a real relationship or from being financially dependent upon one another,” according to the plaintiffs’ attorneys court papers.

Although the court papers on both sides refer to Jenner by his former identity, the ex-Olympian now wants to be referred to as Caitlyn Jenner.

A hearing on the dismissal motion is scheduled June 16 before Judge Teresa Beaudet.

Before the St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers gave updates about their local stadium situations at the NFL owners meeting last month, they were given strict instructions.

The updates were to be fact based only, and they were to be delivered without emotion and with no projection of a specific disposition or preferred ultimate outcome.

“Straight and to the point and with no bias,” said an NFL executive who attended the updates.

The message was clear: Don’t use this meeting to create justification for a move to Los Angeles by delivering dire status reports about your stadium bids back home.

The implication was even more pronounced: With time running out in San Diego and Oakland to deliver viable stadium plans to keep the Chargers and Raiders, and with Rams owner Stan Kroenke seemingly intent on moving his club to Inglewood, the NFL is already bracing for a three-team fight for the one or two spots available in the Los Angeles area.

It’s both the blessing and curse of the very situation the NFL hoped to create on the road back to the second-biggest market in the country after it embarrassingly sat vacant for more than two decades: A competitive L.A. environment in which multiple, viable stadium plans are on the table and urgency in current NFL cities to help finance new stadiums to keep their teams.

Problem is, the two teams that might actually need Los Angeles are pitted against a multi-billionaire owner who might not need L.A. as much as he simply wants it.

And the NFL will only support one Los Angeles stadium.

On one side is the Chargers and Raiders joint stadium project in Carson, a back-up plan to their fading stadium fights in San Diego and Oakland, where taxpayer appetite for funding stadiums is nonexistent. On the other, Kroenke’s Inglewood stadium, which is looking more and more like his Plan A regardless of what Missouri leaders come up with by way of public assistance to help build the Rams a new stadium in downtown St. Louis.

The Chargers and Raiders may need Los Angeles.

Kroenke might just want it.

Figuring out how to satisfy the needs and wants of all three teams is the perplexing puzzle facing the NFL.

“At the end of the day, all three clubs should be be satisfied with the outcome,” an NFL executive said.

But how?

Short of San Diego or Oakland stepping forward with satisfactory stadium plans for the Chargers and Raiders, which seems to be a long shot at this point, or Kroenke surprising everyone by accepting the stadium proposal Missouri leaders are hammering away at, the NFL is headed toward a potentially ugly fight in which owners will be asked to take sides with or against one other.

Worse, if it ultimately comes down to a vote, the team or teams losing out will report back to their local markets with tails decidedly between their legs and left vulnerable while trying to revive new stadium talks.

In other words, not exactly the look the NFL wants for one or two of its owners.

Avoiding that exact scenario will take flexibility, compromise and an open mind.

“Owners understand the benefits of a competitive situation, but also do not relish the thought of a fellow owner being damaged by the process,” an NFL executive said. “(So) the outcome or outcomes that solves the three riddles of the three teams would be very much sought.”

So how do they do that?

Let’s start with the premise Kroenke has his heart set on Los Angeles, regardless what happens in Missouri. And let’s say San Diego and Oakland can’t deliver viable stadium plans for the Chargers and Raiders.

Kroenke will argue the lease clause St. Louis agreed to upon luring the Rams from Southern California 20 years ago – and ultimately reneged on – means he is a free agent not bound to any specific market. He’ll also argue the Rams, with all their L.A. history and ready-made fan base, offer the NFL the best chance to succeed in L.A.

But his case for relocation is weakened if Missouri comes up with $400 million in public money to help build him a new stadium, and San Diego and Oakland can’t do the same for the Chargers and Raiders.

Not to mention the Chargers and Raiders Carson plan is real, viable and very well respected within the NFL.

So the NFL tells Kroenke he only gets support for Los Angeles on two conditions: He accepts the Chargers or Raiders as a partner in Inglewood – and plays fair negotiating terms – and is willing to give up some short-term financial gain to help another team get a local stadium deal done.

Raiders owner Mark Davis has stated over and over his wish to remain in the Bay Area, and the land on which he hopes to build a $900-million dollar stadium is already entitled. So the Raiders seem like the logical team to stay put.

But they need help closing a $400 million funding gap – and that doesn’t include the land and infrastructure costs, which the city of Oakland and Alameda County must kick in.

Here is a way to help close it: $200 million of whatever relocation fee the Rams and Chargers pay for the right to move to L.A. will go to the Raiders stadium cause. In addition, $100 million from a combination of rent, naming rights, personal seat license, and some of the eventual financial windfall from future Super Bowls will be re-directed to a new Raiders stadium.

That brings the Raiders and NFL contribution up to $800 million. It would behoove Davis and local leaders to think long and hard about ways to close the remaining $100 million gap. But that’s a hell of a lot easier than coming up with $400 million.

Of course, the big if in that scenario is Oakland and Alameda playing ball on the land needed to build a new stadium, and coming up with some financing help.

If they do, and if Kroenke, the Chargers and the NFL have an open mind, there will be no need for an ugly, contentious vote.

The Raiders get a new stadium in Oakland, Kroenke gets his Los Angeles wish and the Chargers get a new home that provides long-term financial stability.

It might not be ideal, especially for St. Louis Rams fans, but it’s a satisfactory outcome for all three teams.

Follow the latest twists and turns on Vincent Bonsignore’s NFL in L.A. blog.

Before the St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers gave updates about their local stadium situations at the NFL owners meeting last month, they were given strict instructions.

The updates were to be fact based only, and they were to be delivered without emotion and with no projection of a specific disposition or preferred ultimate outcome.

“Straight and to the point and with no bias,” said an NFL executive who attended the updates.

The message was clear: Don’t use this meeting to create justification for a move to Los Angeles by delivering dire status reports about your stadium bids back home.

The implication was even more pronounced: With time running out in San Diego and Oakland to deliver viable stadium plans to keep the Chargers and Raiders, and with Rams owner Stan Kroenke seemingly intent on moving his club to Inglewood, the NFL is already bracing for a three-team fight for the one or two spots available in the Los Angeles area.

It’s both the blessing and curse of the very situation the NFL hoped to create on the road back to the second-biggest market in the country after it embarrassingly sat vacant for more than two decades: A competitive L.A. environment in which multiple, viable stadium plans are on the table and urgency in current NFL cities to help finance new stadiums to keep their teams.

Problem is, the two teams that might actually need Los Angeles are pitted against a multi-billionaire owner who might not need L.A. as much as he simply wants it.

And the NFL will only support one Los Angeles stadium.

On one side is the Chargers and Raiders joint stadium project in Carson, a back-up plan to their fading stadium fights in San Diego and Oakland, where taxpayer appetite for funding stadiums is nonexistent. On the other, Kroenke’s Inglewood stadium, which is looking more and more like his Plan A regardless of what Missouri leaders come up with by way of public assistance to help build the Rams a new stadium in downtown St. Louis.

The Chargers and Raiders may need Los Angeles.

Kroenke might just want it.

Figuring out how to satisfy the needs and wants of all three teams is the perplexing puzzle facing the NFL.

“At the end of the day, all three clubs should be be satisfied with the outcome,” an NFL executive said.

But how?

Short of San Diego or Oakland stepping forward with satisfactory stadium plans for the Chargers and Raiders, which seems to be a long shot at this point, or Kroenke surprising everyone by accepting the stadium proposal Missouri leaders are hammering away at, the NFL is headed toward a potentially ugly fight in which owners will be asked to take sides with or against one other.

Worse, if it ultimately comes down to a vote, the team or teams losing out will report back to their local markets with tails decidedly between their legs and left vulnerable while trying to revive new stadium talks.

In other words, not exactly the look the NFL wants for one or two of its owners.

Avoiding that exact scenario will take flexibility, compromise and an open mind.

“Owners understand the benefits of a competitive situation, but also do not relish the thought of a fellow owner being damaged by the process,” an NFL executive said. “(So) the outcome or outcomes that solves the three riddles of the three teams would be very much sought.”

So how do they do that?

Let’s start with the premise Kroenke has his heart set on Los Angeles, regardless what happens in Missouri. And let’s say San Diego and Oakland can’t deliver viable stadium plans for the Chargers and Raiders.

Kroenke will argue the lease clause St. Louis agreed to upon luring the Rams from Southern California 20 years ago – and ultimately reneged on – means he is a free agent not bound to any specific market. He’ll also argue the Rams, with all their L.A. history and ready-made fan base, offer the NFL the best chance to succeed in L.A.

But his case for relocation is weakened if Missouri comes up with $400 million in public money to help build him a new stadium, and San Diego and Oakland can’t do the same for the Chargers and Raiders.

Not to mention the Chargers and Raiders Carson plan is real, viable and very well respected within the NFL.

So the NFL tells Kroenke he only gets support for Los Angeles on two conditions: He accepts the Chargers or Raiders as a partner in Inglewood – and plays fair negotiating terms – and is willing to give up some short-term financial gain to help another team get a local stadium deal done.

Raiders owner Mark Davis has stated over and over his wish to remain in the Bay Area, and the land on which he hopes to build a $900-million dollar stadium is already entitled. So the Raiders seem like the logical team to stay put.

But they need help closing a $400 million funding gap – and that doesn’t include the land and infrastructure costs, which the city of Oakland and Alameda County must kick in.

Here is a way to help close it: $200 million of whatever relocation fee the Rams and Chargers pay for the right to move to L.A. will go to the Raiders stadium cause. In addition, $100 million from a combination of rent, naming rights, personal seat license, and some of the eventual financial windfall from future Super Bowls will be re-directed to a new Raiders stadium.

That brings the Raiders and NFL contribution up to $800 million. It would behoove Davis and local leaders to think long and hard about ways to close the remaining $100 million gap. But that’s a hell of a lot easier than coming up with $400 million.

Of course, the big if in that scenario is Oakland and Alameda playing ball on the land needed to build a new stadium, and coming up with some financing help.

If they do, and if Kroenke, the Chargers and the NFL have an open mind, there will be no need for an ugly, contentious vote.

The Raiders get a new stadium in Oakland, Kroenke gets his Los Angeles wish and the Chargers get a new home that provides long-term financial stability.

It might not be ideal, especially for St. Louis Rams fans, but it’s a satisfactory outcome for all three teams.

Follow the latest twists and turns on Vincent Bonsignore’s NFL in L.A. blog.

GENEVA >> U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry broke his leg in a bicycle crash Sunday after striking a curb, and scrapped the rest of a four-nation trip that included an international conference on combating the Islamic State group.

Kerry was in stable condition and in good spirits as he prepared to return to Boston for further treatment with the doctor who previously operated on his hip, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said. He said X-rays at a Swiss hospital confirmed that Kerry fractured his right femur.

“The secretary is stable and never lost consciousness, his injury is not life-threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery,” Kirby said in a statement.

Kerry, 71, was taken by helicopter to Geneva’s main medical center, HUG, after hitting a curb with his bike near Scionzier, France, about 40 kilometers southeast of the Swiss border.

Paramedics and a physician were on the scene with his motorcade at the time and provided him immediate attention. They quickly decided to order the 10-minute-long helicopter transport.

The Dauphine Libere, a local newspaper, said Kerry fell near the beginning of his ride to the famed mountain pass called the Col de la Colombiere, which has been a route for the Tour de France more than a dozen times.

Right around the time of his fall, a Twitter feed about local driving conditions warned of the danger due to gravel along the pass. But U.S. officials said there was no gravel on the road where the accident occurred. According to the newspaper, some Haute Savoie officials were with Kerry at the time, including the head of the region.

Kerry’s regular plane was returning to the United States carrying much of his staff and reporters who accompanied on the trip.

The secretary of state planned to fly back late Sunday aboard a plane with special medical equipment “to ensure he remains comfortable and stable throughout the flight,” Kirby said. “Its use is nothing more than a prudent medical step on the advice of physicians.”

Kerry’s cycling rides have become a regular occurrence on his trips. He often takes his bike with him on the plane and was riding that bicycle Sunday.

During discussions in late March and early April between world powers and Iran, Kerry took several bike trips during breaks. Those talks were in Lausanne, Switzerland, and led to a framework agreement.

Kerry had been in Geneva for six hours of meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday as the sides now work to seal a comprehensive accord by June 30.

The prospect of a lengthy rehabilitation could hamper the nuclear talks and other diplomatic endeavors. Even if Kerry does not need surgery, it was not immediately known when he could fly again after returning to the United States.

Kerry has been the lead negotiator in several marathon sessions with Iran going back to 2013. The injury could affect other potential trips, such as one to the Cuban capital to raise the flag at a restored U.S. Embassy.

As for the current trip, Kerry had planned to travel to Madrid on Sunday for meetings with Spain’s king and prime minister, before spending two days in Paris for an international gathering to combat IS.

He will participate in the Paris conference remotely, Kirby said.

Kerry decided to seek treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital because the fracture is near the site of his earlier hip surgery, Kirby said.

Associated Press writer Lori Hinnant in Paris contributed to this report.

GENEVA >> U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry broke his leg in a bicycle crash Sunday after striking a curb, and scrapped the rest of a four-nation trip that included an international conference on combating the Islamic State group.

Kerry was in stable condition and in good spirits as he prepared to return to Boston for further treatment with the doctor who previously operated on his hip, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said. He said X-rays at a Swiss hospital confirmed that Kerry fractured his right femur.

“The secretary is stable and never lost consciousness, his injury is not life-threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery,” Kirby said in a statement.

Kerry, 71, was taken by helicopter to Geneva’s main medical center, HUG, after hitting a curb with his bike near Scionzier, France, about 40 kilometers southeast of the Swiss border.

Paramedics and a physician were on the scene with his motorcade at the time and provided him immediate attention. They quickly decided to order the 10-minute-long helicopter transport.

The Dauphine Libere, a local newspaper, said Kerry fell near the beginning of his ride to the famed mountain pass called the Col de la Colombiere, which has been a route for the Tour de France more than a dozen times.

Right around the time of his fall, a Twitter feed about local driving conditions warned of the danger due to gravel along the pass. But U.S. officials said there was no gravel on the road where the accident occurred. According to the newspaper, some Haute Savoie officials were with Kerry at the time, including the head of the region.

Kerry’s regular plane was returning to the United States carrying much of his staff and reporters who accompanied on the trip.

The secretary of state planned to fly back late Sunday aboard a plane with special medical equipment “to ensure he remains comfortable and stable throughout the flight,” Kirby said. “Its use is nothing more than a prudent medical step on the advice of physicians.”

Kerry’s cycling rides have become a regular occurrence on his trips. He often takes his bike with him on the plane and was riding that bicycle Sunday.

During discussions in late March and early April between world powers and Iran, Kerry took several bike trips during breaks. Those talks were in Lausanne, Switzerland, and led to a framework agreement.

Kerry had been in Geneva for six hours of meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday as the sides now work to seal a comprehensive accord by June 30.

The prospect of a lengthy rehabilitation could hamper the nuclear talks and other diplomatic endeavors. Even if Kerry does not need surgery, it was not immediately known when he could fly again after returning to the United States.

Kerry has been the lead negotiator in several marathon sessions with Iran going back to 2013. The injury could affect other potential trips, such as one to the Cuban capital to raise the flag at a restored U.S. Embassy.

As for the current trip, Kerry had planned to travel to Madrid on Sunday for meetings with Spain’s king and prime minister, before spending two days in Paris for an international gathering to combat IS.

He will participate in the Paris conference remotely, Kirby said.

Kerry decided to seek treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital because the fracture is near the site of his earlier hip surgery, Kirby said.

Associated Press writer Lori Hinnant in Paris contributed to this report.

POMONA >> Lindsay Ann Prieto was always ready to help others particularly when she thought someone was struggling in some way, her mother said Thursday.

Moments before she died on April 24, Prieto had been at a fast food restaurant on the northeast corner of Garey Avenue and Philadelphia Street where she bought coffee for a homeless woman who she had befriended, said Cecelia Juarez-Garcia, Prieto’s mother.

“She was a very giving person,” Juarez-Garcia said. “She always wanted to share.”

At 4 p.m. Sunday about 100 friends, family and others will gather at Philadelphia Park, 6000 Philadelphia St., before starting a memorial walk to celebrate Prieto’s life, her mother said.

Shortly after buying coffee for her friend, Prieto told her friend she would be back in a moment but she didn’t return.

Prieto was in a crosswalk at Garey Avenue and Rio Rancho Road at about the 8:30 p.m. April 24 when she was hit by a vehicle that immediately left the scene, Pomona police said.

With the help of information provided by witnesses, officers were able to track down the driver and arrested Christopher Acosta, 29, of Ontario on suspicion of felony hit and run and causing injury or death, Pomona police said.

Acosta, a high school teacher with the Pomona Unified School District, was put on administrative leave soon after, said Pomona Unified Superintendent Richard Martinez.

“He’s been out of the classroom since (the incident) happened,” Martinez said.

The school district has been in contact with the police and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and will be monitoring the legal proceedings before determining how to proceed next, he said.

At this point the investigation into the incident has not been completed, said Pomona police Lt. Christian Hsu.

Investigators are still doing work on the case, he said. Investigators are also waiting for the results of toxicology tests being carried out on a sample of Acosta’s blood.

If the toxicology tests find the presence of alcohol or drugs then members of the District Attorney’s Office will amend the charges, Hsu said.

The night Prieto died five people came to her aid, Juarez-Garcia said.

With her was the homeless woman for whom Prieto bought coffee.

“She was there at the very end with her,” Juarez-Garcia said.

Pomona resident Albert Ramirez was about six cars away from the incident but he got out of his car to try to aid Prieto. Pomona police Officer Art Cruz arrived and tried tirelessly to revive her daughter, Juarez-Garcia said.

Juarez-Garcia said she arrived at the scene and attempted to reach her daughter’s body. She knew her daughter was dead but she wanted to pray beside her but because the area was a crime scene she couldn’t approach her.

Pomona police Cpl. J.T. Garcia heard what she wanted to do.

“He did it for me. He got on his knees and he prayed for her,” Juarez-Garcia said.

Later Juarez-Garcia learned that back at the police dispatch center, dispatcher Robin Oliver researched data bases and helped officers find the alleged hit and run driver.

“It gave me strength to know people care,” she said.

The memorial walk taking place Sunday will begin at the park and will take participants to Garey Avenue and Rio Rancho Road before returning to the park. At the park the Rev. Allen Stretch, pastor of Vineyard Community Church, will speak about Prieto.

The walk is a way to remember her daughter and keep her in people’s minds and give her a voice as the proceedings into her case move along, Juarez-Garcia said.

“She may have been killed but she’s still in our memory,” Juarez-Garcia said. “She is very much alive in our hearts.”