Video: Indy 500 Practice Crash Leaves Driver Hospitalized
The Indianapolis 500 is set to take place Sunday, May 28, but one driver will be missing it after a dramatic crash during Monday practice left him hospitalized. Driver Stefan Wilson was taken off the track in a stretcher after a collision with fellow driver Katherine Legge pushed him into a wall.
Wilson's car was subsequently dragged along the wall, tearing it up before they both came to rest. Medics immediately attended to both drivers. Although Legge was able to exit on foot, Wilson had to be put in a backboard and taken to a hospital via ambulance.
A scary incident in today's #Indy500 practice.@katherinelegge has been seen and released following the incident.#INDYCAR // @IMS pic.twitter.com/M0kqrAjZl9
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 22, 2023
As TMZ Sports notes, Wilson was able to flash a thumbs up sign as he was being loaded into the ambulance, and IndyCar medical director Dr. Julia Vaizer reported he's "doing well." Unfortunately, he fractured his 12th thoracic vertebrae in the crash and will not be able to race on Sunday. Legge has been cleared to participate.
"After being transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital for further tests, it was disclosed that Wilson suffered a fracture of the 12th thoracic vertebrae and will stay overnight for further tests and observation. Based on this type of injury, Wilson will not be allowed to compete in this Sunday's 10th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race," the team said in a statement according to USA Today. "The Dreyer and Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports team will have more information in due course."
Video shows the rough state of Legge's car afterwards:
Graham Rahal & much of the @RLLracing team at the RLL garages surveying the major damage to Katherine Leg he’s No. 44 chassis damaged in her practice crash with Stefan Wilson. pic.twitter.com/xPLCL0yYdq
— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) May 22, 2023
The 107th Indy 500 kicks off at 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 28.