(si.com 10-17-11)
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died of head injuries after a spectacular 15-car wreck at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Clark County Coroner Michael Murphy said Monday.
The 33-year-old Wheldon was pronounced dead at 1:54 p.m. Sunday at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he was flown by medical helicopter after the crash at the track about 12 miles away.
After an autopsy, Murphy ruled the death an accident, the result of blunt trauma to the head due to motor vehicle collision, and offered condolences to friends and family of the married father of two from England.
"We'll be working with family and IndyCar officials and the attending physicians to fully review the case in an effort to improve safety for drivers," he told The Associated Press.
Three other drivers were injured in the fiery Lap 11 crash, none seriously.
Pippa Mann, 28, had surgery on a burned right pinkie finger and was released Monday, as was 23-year-old JR Hildebrand, who had a bruised sternum. Will Power, 30, was evaluated and released Sunday.
The race was called off after Wheldon's death was announced, although drivers drove a five-lap salute to their colleague
