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One dead, 2 injured in Hartwell Speedway race accident

By AccessWDUN Staff
Posted 12:42PM on Sunday 4th July 2021 ( 2 years ago )

One person was killed and two others injured in an accident during a race last night at Hartwell Speedway.

According to a report from the Georgia State Patrol, the steering shaft of a race car broke during the Open Wheel Modified feature and crashed into a nearby wall and fence. Several spectators were hit by the car and fence as a result of the crash.

One spectator was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by the Hart County Coroner. They have been identified as Paul Ballenger, 57, of Royston. 

An unidentified 11-year-old was also injured in the crash and taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital. Their condition is unknown at this time. A third spectator, identified as Ricky Hamilton, 22, of Danielsville, suffered a minor injury.

The driver of the wrecked race car has been identified as John Bohannon, 36, of Toccoa, who was not injured in the crash.

Saturday night’s accident the only known fatality at the 3/8-mile clay dirt racing facility, which opened in 1969. The track, which is located at 254 Speedway Road just outside of the city of Hartwell, has hosted mostly weekly, local competition over its 52 years of operation. The facility has been locally owned by an area family for the last 14 years.

A post on the speedway's Facebook account asked for thoughts and prayers for those involved in the accident.

"Everyone at Hartwell Speedway ask that you please keep those involved in the tragic accident tonight at the Speedway in your thoughts and prayers," the post reads. "We would also like to thank all those who came to the aide of those injured."

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Hartwell Speedway, seen here from an earlier event, was the site of a crash in the pit area on Saturday night that left one person dead and two others injured. (Photo: Brandon Reed)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/7/1019199/hartwell-speedway-accident-kills-1-injures-2-others

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