A person died from a fatal accident at Jacksonville Speedway on Friday
One person died in an accident at Jacksonville Speedway on Friday, the Morgan County Coroner’s Office announced on social media Saturday morning.
Ralph A. Willhite, of Jacksonville, was in the infield when he was struck by a 410-winged sprint car that had lost control and was declared deceased at the scene by Morgan County coroner Marcy Patterson, the Facebook post said. He was 65.
An autopsy was scheduled for Monday.
Update from the Jacksonville Speedway incident: there is now an official word from the local coroner's office, an unfortunately we have lost the life of a race fan tonight ??
Everyone please keep this gentlemen friends and family in your thoughts & prayers this evening ?? pic.twitter.com/Zn5RR3i8JT— 357’s World of Dirt (@357WoD) June 29, 2024
According to Jacksonville Speedway promoter Ken Dobson on social media, one other person was transported to a hospital with some fractures but is doing fine.
“Please give comfort to all of those who are grieving or struggling today for however this tragedy may have impacted them,” Dobson shared on Twitter and Facebook. “In this small community and given the public nature of the tragedy, that number is quite large. They truly need your thoughts, prayers, space, respect and compassion as they deal with it in their own unique way.”
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Fatal accident kills man at Jacksonville Speedway