STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

IndyCar Driver Justin Wilson Dies After Racing Crash

The 37-year-old was struck in the head by debris.

The auto racing community is mourning the loss of Justin Wilson.

The IndyCar driver died Monday after being hit in the helmet by debris from a one-car crash in front of him at the Pocono Raceway on Sunday, ESPN reported. Wilson was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with a head injury on Sunday night. He was 37.

Everyone from his brother, Stefan Wilson, who is also an IndyCar driver, to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick took to Twitter to send their heartfelt condolences.

Wilson was competing in his sixth race for Andretti Autosport this year. He had seven victories in a 12-year career on the open-wheel circuit.

The debris that hit Wilson might have knocked him unconscious, leading him to crash his own car at high speed into a padded angled wall.

He is survived by his wife, Julia, and children, Jane and Jessica.
"Justin was a loving father and devoted husband, as well as a highly competitive racing driver who was respected by his peers," the family wrote in a statement posted on his website. "The family would like to thank the staff at the Lehigh Valley Health Network Cedar Crest Hospital, Pocono Raceway, Andretti Autosport and the Verizon IndyCar Series, as well as the entire racing community for the amazing outpouring of support from fans around the world."

BET Sports News — Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports, including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes.

Click here to enter the #LookYourSundayBest contest for a chance to win FREE natural hair-care products.

(Photo: Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.