MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — A spectator at a dirt racing track in Pennsylvania was killed Friday night after being struck by a sprint car that flipped over the infield fence.
Richard E. Speck Jr., 67, of Mechanicsburg, suffered multiple traumatic injuries at Williams Grove Speedway and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to PennLive.
The accident resulted in the cancellation of the rest of the racing program, WPMT reported.
Cumberland County Coroner Charles Hall said in a news release early Saturday that the accident occurred at 9:25 p.m. on the half-mile track. Two cars became tangled coming out of Turn 4, causing one sprint car to lose control and hit the inside wall, PennLive reported. The impact of the crash propelled the car over the top of the infield fence and onto Speck, who was watching the race along the fence from the back of his pickup truck, the website reported.
The track posted the news of the cancellation just before 10 p.m. on social media.
"Due to the severity of the accident, we have been forced to cancel the remainder of tonight's racing program," racetrack officials said in a tweet. "Freddie Rahmer has been declared the winner of tonight's event."
Due to the severity of the accident, we have been forced to cancel the remainder of tonight’s racing program. Freddie Rahmer has been declared the winner of tonight’s event.
— Williams Grove (@WilliamsGrove) August 3, 2019
According to the news release from the Coroner's Office, the accident remains under investigation. The owner of Williams Grove Speedway declined comment Friday night. Penn Live reported.
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