IndyCar Driver Dies In Massive 15-Car Wreck

Dan Wheldon, the British driver who is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, died in a terrific accident on Sunday when his car was engaged in a 15-car pileup in which another three drivers were injured. The 33-year-old Briton had started at the back of the 34-car field and was in a good position to attack the $5 million prize in Las Vegas before two cars deliberately touched tires, which resulted in a 15-car wreck during Lap 11. A helicopter transported Wheldon to the University Medical Center but some two hours later the driver passed away.

Spectators in Las Vegas witnessed one of the worst accidents in the history of motor-sport with more than a dozen cars burning in flames within seconds and debris covering the track nearly halfway up the straightaway. Wheldon’s car turned over in the air and landed into the the catch fence taking deadly hits from other cars’ debris.

JR Hildebrand and Pippa Mann were also hurt in the crash with Mann being treated for a burn, while Hildebrand is going to spend the night in a hospital for further evaluation. Will Power has been released from the hospital after being evaluated and no serious injuries have been found.

Britain-born Wheldon arrived in the United States in 1999 and managed to grab the series championship prize in 2005. He topped the ladder 16 times in his IndyCar career. Fellow colleagues commented that everyone in IndyCar died a little on Sunday and Wheldon’s name is one to be remembered.

The track in Las Vegas allows for very high speeds with car racers speeding with nearly 360 km per hour during practice.