Justin Wilson: IndyCar driver dies in fatal crash, but saves 6 lives with donated organs

IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson died on Sunday after being hit in the helmet by crash debris during the Verizon IndyCar 500 at Pocono Raceway on Aug. 23 in Pennsylvania. While Wilson’s career has come to an unfortunate end, his legacy will still continue far beyond racing.

Wilson’s younger brother Stefan revealed on Twitter that the late British rider will help save six lives by donating his organs. According to Motor Sport, a trust fund for Wilson’s two young daughters has also been established following his tragic passing.

Wilson was hit in the helmet by debris from the car of Sage Karam, who had crashed while leading, with pieces of his car strewn across the track. A fragment of Karam’s car bounced at the head of Wilson, who then crashed on the inside wall after the fatal impact.

Stars from the world of motorsports have paid tribute to Wilson on Monday. Former Red Bull driver Mark Webber, who drove in the Jaguar Formula One team alongside Wilson 12 years ago, said Wilson’s death is a tough day for everyone in motor sport.

“He [Wilson] was a formidable overtaker, gutsy, determined but always fair, the kind of guy you wanted to race against us,” Webber said, The Guardian reported.

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton also paid tribute to Wilson. Hamilton said he was devastated to hear the passing of Wilson, describing the British racer as a “great man” and the “ultimate gentleman.”

Wilson’s family issued a statement on the British rider’s website. “Justin was a loving father and devoted husband, as well as a highly competitive racing driver who was respected by his peers,” the statement said.

Wilson’s death followed that of Formula One driver Jules Bianchi, who was fatally injured in a bizarre incident at the Japanese Grand Prix last year. His death also comes four years after that of another British IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Video courtesy: Youtube/nascarcrashesnmore2

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