Joel Thorne

Joel Wolfe Thorne Jr. (October 16, 1914 – October 17, 1955) was an American racing driver, engineer, and playboy. Thorne raced his own cars in the Indianapolis 500, and later went on to attempt to design aircraft. He died after a plane crash in North Hollywood.

Racing career
The 1946 Indianapolis 500 was won by a car owned by Thorne and driven by George Robson. One of Thorne's cars also won the pole position and finished second in the 1939 Indianapolis 500 with Jimmy Snyder behind the wheel.

Death
Thorne died after crashing his private plane, during what witnesses described as "stunting", into an apartment building, killing three residents including a two-month-old baby.

A small plane piloted by wealthy playboy Joel W Thorne crashed into a two-story apartment house Monday night bringing flaming death to himself and two others — one a newly christened baby. Nine persons were injured including the infant's parents who were holding a christening party. Two other children were critically burned. Thorne' single-engine plans plummeted out of the overcast less than 12 minutes after taking off from Lockheed Air Terminal in nearby Burbank. An eyewitness said a wing dropped off before the craft plunged into the building. A small plane piloted by wealthy playboy Joel W Thorne crashed into a two-story apartment house Monday night bringing flaming death to himself and two others — one a newly christened baby. Nine persons were injured including the infant's parents who were holding a christening party. Two other children were critically burned. Thorne' single-engine plans plummeted out of the overcast less than 12 minutes after taking off from Lockheed Air Terminal in nearby Burbank. An eyewitness said a wing dropped off before the craft plunged into the building.