Tony Stewart Racing driver killed in road rage incident Indiana highway

An Indianapolis racing driver died in a road rage incident. The crash is under investigation by the Indiana State Police.

A tragic incident occurred on Friday, resulting in the death of a talented racing driver from Indianapolis who was part of the Tony Stewart Racing team. Ashlea Albertson, only 24 years old, was a passenger in a 2018 GMC Terrain that crashed on I-65 in Jackson County, Indiana. The crash occurred around 11.30am, just south of Seymour.

According to the initial investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police, the crash was a result of a road rage incident. The GMC Terrain, driven by Jacob Kelly, 31, was in the left lane, while a black 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Austin Cooper, 22, was in the right lane. Both drivers were accelerating and refusing to let each other pass.

Video footage captured by a witness in another vehicle revealed that the two drivers engaged in a dangerous acceleration contest, not allowing the other vehicle to pass. Suddenly, the Malibu abruptly changed lanes, cutting into the path of the Terrain, resulting in a collision. The impact caused the SUV to roll over, and tragically, Ashlea Albertson was ejected from the vehicle.

Blood tests were conducted on both drivers, and toxicology results are still pending, according to the state police. Albertson was immediately airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital, but sadly succumbed to her injuries. The two drivers involved in the incident, as well as a juvenile passenger in the Malibu, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated accordingly.

The Indiana State Police are currently investigating the crash to gather more information and determine the exact sequence of events.

Tony Stewart, deeply affected by the loss of his teammate, expressed his grief in a heartfelt social media post. He described Albertson as someone with an infectious personality who could brighten any room. Stewart also acknowledged his own past experiences with road rage, emphasizing the importance of controlling one's actions on the road. He hopes that honoring Ashlea's memory will serve as a reminder of the preciousness of life.

Ashlea Albertson's father, Todd Albertson, shared an emotional video on Facebook after learning of his daughter's passing. Fighting back tears, he thanked everyone who loved and supported her throughout her racing career. He expressed his gratitude for the love and respect she received from the racing community. Todd Albertson requested thoughts and prayers for his family, Ashlea's fiancé, and everyone affected by this tragic loss.

In his video, Todd Albertson urged those attending racing events to cherish every moment and enjoy life to the fullest. He emphasized that Ashlea's passion was to put on a show for the fans and be loved and respected by those who followed her. He concluded by reminding everyone that life is precious and unpredictable, urging them to appreciate every moment they have.

This devastating incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of road rage and the importance of maintaining control and composure while driving. It is a tragic loss for the racing community, and Ashlea Albertson will be deeply missed by all who knew her.