Fatality reported at Richard Petty Experience

[CAS239]

Looks like I was right, the passenger who died was the CM.


"According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Tavon Watson, 24, of Kissimmee, failed to maneuver the high-powered sports car through one of the course's curves, and the vehicle's right side struck a guardrail.

His passenger, Gary Terry, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to FHP's Sgt. Kim Montes.

According to the social-media Website LinkedIn and news-media reports, Terry was the operations manager at the track.

Watson taken to Celebration Hospital with minor injuries and has since been released."

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

If I am not mistaken Tavon Watson, the driver, was the CM who assisted me with a scooter problem last fall at Port Orleans. He was so helpful and sweet. I remember thinking Walt would have liked the young man.

If I remember correctly then both the driver and the passenger were Cast Members though only one of them was on duty.

My heart just breaks for the driver and the passenger's family.

 

[mshanson3121]

Terrible.

Never been a fan of this attraction to be honest. Just seems incredibly dangerous.

Same here. These cars do not have adequate safety gear. My father in law is a retired drag racer, and he said they were an accident waiting to happen. I'm surprised there hasn't been a fatality/injury before this quite honestly. So sad for everyone involved.

 

[aaarcher86]

Autoracing and driving cars at tracks, similar to this, are actually safer than most people's daily commutes. DH does amateur autoracing, and we both used to do track events in our street cars. No one has been killed in any of the classes at his races or at any of the track events we have done. There have been two broken legs. Granted, race cars and track-prepped cars do have better safety features, ie roll bars/cages, racing seats with 5+ point harnesses, full face helmets, fire proof racing clothes, and neck-brace devices (like HANS). Race tracks also have limited entrances and exits. What scares me more is not events like this, but the fact that we drive around in cars every day at pretty high speeds, with untrained and distracted drivers, possible poor brakes, tires, steering, and suspension, without proper safety equipment and gear.

I feel bad for the victim's family, especially if he was an employee. I feel bad for the driver too, because he will have to live with the guilt.

Right. And then one of those untrained daily commute drivers pays a lump sum of money and suddenly they're driving around a race track at high speeds.

I'm sure it's controlled as can be, but I that part just never seems safe for me.

 

[dnkmmw]

Right. And then one of those untrained daily commute drivers pays a lump sum of money and suddenly they're driving around a race track at high speeds.

I'm sure it's controlled as can be, but I that part just never seems safe for me.

The Exotic Driving Experience is not "race" cars. Some of these cars I see driving, on their commute, everyday. Yes, speeds are higher than on (most) commutes, but it's also on a track, with minimal interaction with other vehicles. I understand, this reaction is typical, accidents happen and whatever it is should be closed, banned, never opened to being with.

Dawn

 

[aaarcher86]

The Exotic Driving Experience is not "race" cars. Some of these cars I see driving, on their commute, everyday. Yes, speeds are higher than on (most) commutes, but it's also on a track, with minimal interaction with other vehicles. I understand, this reaction is typical, accidents happen and whatever it is should be closed, banned, never opened to being with.

Dawn

I don't know if you quoted before my edit, but it know they're not race cars. That was just the first thing that came out since it is a race track.

 

[lugnut33]

Gary Terry, the passenger, was a former dirt late-model racer. He had years of experience racing and had worked at the experience for a long time.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

ABSOLUTELY NOT! This was an accident. Seriously, this poor driver was a 24 year old having a special day for his birthday. He will be forever changed by this horrific experience. I am sure he is devastated.

As to the passenger, I am sure his family is overwhelmed by grief. He was a professional driver and had served Disney for years without any injuries.

 

[rimmer]

So, So Sad!! I just called on Friday to set up a Lambo ride along for my sons 14th Birthday in 2 weeks... Time to rethink that

 

[capegirl]

So, So Sad!! I just called on Friday to set up a Lambo ride along for my sons 14th Birthday in 2 weeks... Time to rethink that

I don't blame you for rethinking, I would feel the same way. What a terrible tragedy. I wonder if they will close the track for good.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I wonder of having a buffer would have helped. Like how, for interstate exits, you will see barrels of water before a barrier.

 

[Cyrano]

Folks please be respectful that this accident resulted in a fatality.

Posts that veer off topic will be removed with the possibility the thread will be closed.

 

[JanaDee]

I don't blame you for rethinking, I would feel the same way. What a terrible tragedy. I wonder if they will close the track for good.

I would be very surprised if it re-opens, especially since it was due to close this summer, anyway.

 

[rmm7e]

Ugh, I've been thinking about this since I heard yesterday. I gave my DH this experience as a 50th birthday gift and he did the Ferrari. He also regularly takes his MINI to the track here at VIR. There was a really bad accident at VIR one year he was there. I always think about how those instructors put themselves at risk with Joe Q. Public driving. There is a governor they can dial back until they are OK with your skills, but still...prayers for both families involved.

Saw on a news article they'll be closed all week.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

"You were invincible in my eyes. My big brother, best friend, best man, my bub," his brother, Adam Terry, wrote on Facebook. "To be able to restart the day and change the outcome, what I wouldn't give. I will always love you, thanks for all the memories. God speed, GT."

This is so very sad.

 

[loveshak22]

Definitely a sad situation for all involved...even with safety precautions tragedies happen. I'm sure the driving experience has a strong safety record and after an investigation they will implement even more safety procedures.

My thoughts to the family of the CM and the driver who probably doesn't even know how to deal with what happened.