In an incident on an Indiana highway, a promising 24-year-old driver affiliated with Tony Stewart Racing, lost her life after being ejected from a vehicle during a collision.
The incident occurred around 11:30 am on Friday, August 18, on northbound Interstate 65 in Jackson County. Ashlea Albertson was a passenger in one of the two vehicles involved in the crash.
Albertson’s connection with Tony Stewart Racing, founded by the renowned three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart in 2000, marked her as a rising star in the racing world. She had also participated in the All-Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets and had recently competed in Indianapolis before the incident.
Indiana State Police reported that the collision occurred when a 22-year-old driver, Austin Cooper, in a Chevrolet Malibu and a 31-year-old driver, Jacob Kelly, in a GMC Terrain, engaged in a dangerous maneuver on the highway. Both vehicles accelerated rapidly and impeded each other’s passage, leading to a loss of control and the collision. The impact caused Albertson, a passenger in the Terrain, to be ejected as the vehicle rolled.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Albertson succumbed to her injuries. The other individuals involved, including the two drivers and a juvenile passenger in the Malibu, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at local medical facilities.
Tony Stewart expressed his condolences on social media, remembering Albertson’s vibrant personality that could light up any room.
The incident has raised questions about road rage, though police have not confirmed it as the cause.
Albertson’s death has left the racing community and her fans in shock. Her father, Todd Albertson, shared the news on her racing account, emphasizing her love for racing and the community.
As investigations continue, toxicology reports are pending, shedding light on potential factors that may have contributed to this accident.