Car and Driver

Car and Driver Contributing Editor Davey G. Johnson Passes Away While Test Driving On A Trip

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Calaveras County Sherrif’s Department found automotive writer Davey G. Johnson’s (nee David Gordon Johnson) body in the Mokelumne River on June 20th, 2019. Missing since June 5th, it is presumed he is a victim of accidental drowning and foul play is not suspected. (Car and Driver)

His girlfriend, Jaclyn Trop, said she last heard from Johnson early June 5th when he replied to her text saying the roads were icy and that his phone and laptop had run out of power. A few hours later, Johnson texted a photo of himself in a creek to a friend. 

He was heading home after test driving a motorcycle for two days in California and Nevada to write an article for Motorcyclist magazine. The motorcycle was found at a rest stop on Friday, and his clothes, cellphone and laptop were found the following day a few feet from the river.  (New York Post)

The river was at high flow, moving at 35 mph. According to officials, due to the massive snowpack melting, pouring water into the rivers and creeks, the state’s waterways are running very cold.

Davey G. Johnson’s obituary can be found at Car and Driver.

Tin Shingle has updated our Media Contact Idea Center to reflect this. His name remains in the list for those looking to pitch him but did not know about his passing. Bless.