An Indianapolis-based racing driver who drove for the Tony Stewart Racing staff died in an obvious highway rage incident on Friday.
Ashlea Albertson, 24, was a passenger in a 2018 GMC Terrain that crashed round 11.30am on I-65 in Jackson County simply south of Seymour, Indiana.
An preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police revealed the crash occurred when the Terrain and a black 2016 Chevrolet Malibu had been driving alongside one another, each accelerating and refusing to let one another move.
The Terrain was being pushed by Jacob Kelly, 31, and travelling within the left lane when the Malibu, which was being pushed by Austin Cooper, 22, pulled up in the best lane.
Video recorded by somebody in one other automobile confirmed that the 2 drivers started accelerating quickly and refused to permit the opposite automobile to move, state plolice stated.
The Malibu abruptly modified lanes proper into the Terrain’s path and the 2 autos collided, police stated. The SUV rolled over and Albertson was ejected.
Both drivers submitted to blood assessments and toxicology outcomes are pending, state police stated.
Albertson was flown to the University of Louisville Hospital the place she died from her accidents. The two drivers and a juvenile passenger within the Malibu had been handled for non-life-threatening accidents, police stated.
The crash is below investigation by the Indiana State Police.
Tony Stewart wrote in a social media submit that he had misplaced a teammate who had “an infectious personality and could light up any room”.
“She was a great race car driver that was involved in a road rage accident and lost her life,” Stewart wrote.
“In the past, I’ve also gotten caught up in road rage. I hope that we can honor Ashlea by controlling what we can control on the highway. Losing her is a sobering reminder of how precious life is.”
Albertson’s father Todd Albertson posted an emotional video on Facebook after studying of her passing.
“This is one of the hardest posts that I could possibly make, but I have no words to put it out other than making a video to share with everybody who loved her and that she loved in return,” he says tearfully. “I want to thank you from my family, from myself, for making her feel like she was the best racer out there each and every time that she took the track.
“We appreciate you. We love you. I’m sorry to inform you this way, but it’s only fair that everybody knows and there be no speculation moving forward.
“She was a good kid, a better person. She just loved racing, she loved the community and you all have done so much for her. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Please keep my family, her fiancé, and everybody that is going through this time in your thoughts and prayers.
“Those of you who go to the track this weekend and enjoy racing, please know that’s all she ever wanted to do was put on a show … and be loved and respected by each and everyone of you that followed her. … Enjoy life and every moment that it is. It’s precious. We never know when our time is.”