Woman Dies after Being Hit by Dragster Tire in Phoenix

The NHRA Arizona Nationals last weekend ended tragically for a fan in the grandstands. A woman unfortunately lost her life during the first-round run of the Top Fuel category at Firebird International Raceway, when the dragster driven by Antron Brown was disintegrated on the main strip and lost its left wheel in the process.

The wheel traveled at immense speed into the grandstands and hit the woman, whose name and age is yet to be made public. After the impact, it seems the woman was immediately taken to the hospital, where he died some hours later.

The NHRA was quick in issuing a short statement in which it states its regret over the incident.

“The entire NHRA community is deeply saddened by today's incident and sends its thoughts and prayers to the woman's family and friends," the National Hot Rod Association said in a statement, as reported by the Associated Press.

The officials of the Firebird International Raceway also expressed their regret over the tragic incident. As far as Brown was concerned, the North American drag racer did not sustain any severe injuries as a result of the accident, as he was released by the track's medical staff a few hours afterwards.

However, according to a statement from Don Schumacher Racing, Brown was further sent to the Chandler Regional Hospital for observation.

This wasn't the first incident of the weekend in Phoenix, as Mountain View Racing driver Vinnie Deceglie was also the victim of an accident in the Pro Stock qualifying of the Arizona NHRA Nationals. While losing control of his car, it turned over and slid all the way to the finish line, but Deceglie managed to escape unhurt.