English IndyCar driver Justin Wilson died Monday evening after suffering a head injury from a piece of debris in a crash also involving Sage Karam in Sunday's ABC Supply 500 at Pennsylvania's Pocono Raceway. Wilson, who had lived for several years in Longmont, Colorado and leaves behind his wife and two daughters as well as brother Stefan, was 37 years old. It was IndyCar's first fatality since fellow Englishman (and same-age) Dan Wheldon's death in a massive crash at the Las Vegas season finale in October of 2011.
On lap 179 of the 200-lap race, Karam, a rookie driver from nearby Nazareth, Pennsylvania, spun his Chip Ganassi-owned Chevrolet in turn 1. A piece of debris evidently from Karam's car hit Wilson with heavy force, knocking him unconscious, with his #25 Andretti Autosport Honda then veering into the wall on the other side of the track. Karam was assisted from his car with an apparent leg injury and was treated accordingly. Wilson was removed from his car and flown to the Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest hospital in Allentown. IndyCar posted a pair of updates, on Sunday evening and then Monday around noon, stating that Wilson was in a coma and unresponsive in intensive care. He never regained consciousness after the crash. Wilson's death was announced by IndyCar at 9 p.m. on Monday evening.
Many IndyCar and NASCAR drivers, crew members and fans have tweeted well-wishes to Wilson and his family on Sunday and Monday. A children's fund for Wilson's two daughters has been established and is accepting donations. There are also plans for six of Wilson's organs to be donated to patients who need them, bringing a positive aspect to this otherwise difficult time for the community.
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