Arthur Thurman, Louis LeCocq & Robert Bandini's Fatal Crash @ Indianapolis 1919 (Aftermath)
- 8 months ago
The Indianapolis Liberty Sweepstakes, now called the Indianapolis 500, held on Saturday, 31 May 1919, was won by Howard Wilcox in a Peugeot, by nearly four minutes over Eddie Hearne's Durant.
With the World War I ending the year before, the seventh edition of the race returned in 1919 after a two-year hiatus. Peugeot's victory was the third for the French make at the Speedway, and Goodyear celebrated its first success. Wilcox was the first American-born driver to win, since 1912. His victory was overshadowed by the death of three men during the race.
On his 44th lap Arthur Thurman was killed instantly in the crash of his car into the northeast wall, and his riding mechanic, Nicholas Molinaro, was taken to the hospital with serious head injuries, from which he eventually recovered.
Later in the race Louis LeCocq and his riding mechanic, Robert Bandini, were burned to death when their car rolled over on the south short chute, trapping them under the car.
R.I.P
With the World War I ending the year before, the seventh edition of the race returned in 1919 after a two-year hiatus. Peugeot's victory was the third for the French make at the Speedway, and Goodyear celebrated its first success. Wilcox was the first American-born driver to win, since 1912. His victory was overshadowed by the death of three men during the race.
On his 44th lap Arthur Thurman was killed instantly in the crash of his car into the northeast wall, and his riding mechanic, Nicholas Molinaro, was taken to the hospital with serious head injuries, from which he eventually recovered.
Later in the race Louis LeCocq and his riding mechanic, Robert Bandini, were burned to death when their car rolled over on the south short chute, trapping them under the car.
R.I.P