Dan Wheldon, a two-time Indy 500 winner (2005, 2011) and Daytona 24 Hour winner, died today from injuries he suffered during a crash on turn two at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He was 33.
The crash happened on the 13th lap between two other cars in front of him, catching him and a total of 14 other cars. Wheldon was caught by a catch fence and stayed there until emergency vehicles arrived. He was pronounced dead 2 hours later in the hospital, having succumbed to his injuries.
It was the final race of the IndyCar season, and the race was declared over following a 5 lap goodbye by all able drivers.
Dan Wheldon is survived by his wife Susie Behm, whom he married in 2008. He has two sons: Sebastian, who was born on 1 February 2009, and Oliver, born 19 March 2011. The family lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.
RawAutos would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Mr. Wheldon’s family and friends, but most importantly his wife and two very young children.
Here is the video of the accident, but be warned, some may find it graphic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFCOugYb6HgYou can see pictures of the actual accident(s) in AutoWeek’s gallery.
