IndyCar Series veteran Justin Wilson died Monday after suffering a traumatic head injury during a race Sunday at Pocono Raceway.
Jeff Zelevansky / Getty Images
IndyCar Series veteran Justin Wilson died Monday after suffering a traumatic head injury suffered in Sunday's ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway, his family announced.
In what was described as a freak accident, the 37-year-old was struck in the head, while wearing a helmet, by a piece of debris that was on the track after race leader Sage Karam's car crashed.
He was surrounded by his family at Lehigh Valley Health Network Cedar Crest Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, when he died on Monday, the Indy Star reported.
Will Schneekloth / Getty Images
Karam's car crashed while he was leading the 200-lap race. As pieces of debris were bouncing on the track, Wilson, who was wearing a helmet, was struck in the head. Karam suffered a foot injury.
"This is a monumentally sad day for INDYCAR and the motorsports community as a whole," Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said in a statement. "Justin's elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility — which is what made him one of the most respected members of the paddock. As we know, the racing industry is one big family, and our efforts moving forward will be focused on rallying around Justin's family to ensure they get the support they need during this unbelievably difficult time."
Wilson was born in Sheffield, England, and had lived in Longmont, Colorado. Since 2004, he had been competing in the American open-wheel race, and in six races this season for Andretti Autosport. Wilson earned seven career Indy car victories.
from BuzzFeed - USNews http://ift.tt/1JsCRtc
No comments:
Post a Comment