Driver, 13 Fans Hurt in IndyCar Smash

Dario Franchitti in Houston hospital
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 7, 2013 1:30 AM CDT

Three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti is in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a shocking multicar crash at yesterday's Houston Grand Prix. The Scotsman suffered a concussion, a spinal fracture that will not require surgery, and a fractured right ankle in the crash that also left 13 fans and a race official with minor injuries from flying debris, ESPN reports. Team officials say Franchitti was awake after the crash and is going to be OK.

Franchitti's car went airborne into a fence after he clipped the tire of Takuma Sato's car during the final lap. "On the last lap I caught the marbles and brushed the wall and lost momentum," Sato tells the Los Angeles Times. "A couple cars passed me as I was off line and in Turn 5. I got very loose and Dario and I came together. Hopefully Dario is OK." Race winner Will Power says the crash brought back disturbing memories of Dan Wheldon's fatal accident in Las Vegas two years ago. (More Dario Franchitti stories.)

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