The Volusia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office released a statement Sunday afternoon on the death of a New Smyrna Speedway track official following features Saturday night the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said detectives are continuing an investigation into the death of 59-year old Russell Crews early Sunday morning.
Crews had attempted to break up a brawl between Sportsman division teams that took place in the pit area outside of the track beyond turn three. Crews was ultimately assaulted while attempting to break up the fight.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said there is currently no evidence of: “a direct link between Crews’ death and any specific actions of anyone involved in the altercation.”
Below is the statement from the Volusia County Sheriffs Office.
A New Smyrna Speedway employee had a medical emergency following an altercation at the racetrack early Sunday and later died at an area hospital.
Volusia sheriff’s detectives are continuing a death investigation after 59-year old Russell Crews was pronounced dead shorty before 2 a.m. Sunday at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach.
Earlier, around 12:30 a.m., deputies had responded to New Smyrna Speedway (3939 S.R. 44, New Smyrna Beach) in reference to a large altercation between two race team, involving a dozen or more people.
Witnesses reported that Crews went in to disperse the crowd and also became involved in an altercation.
Afterward, with the crowd dispersed and parties separated, witnesses said Crews sat down and began having a medical episode. A witness started performing CPR on Crews before an EMS crew arrived, took over CPR and transported Crews to the hospital.
At this point in the investigation, there is no evidence of a direct link between Crews’ death and any specific actions of anyone involved in the altercation. An autopsy was scheduled for today, and the investigation remains active. There were no other injuries reported.
One eyewitness who asked to remain anonymous told RaceDayCT the brawl involved as many as 40 people and went on for more than 20 minutes.
The eyewitness said when Crews attempted to break up the fight he was assaulted by those involved in the brawl and at one point was on the ground being punched. The eyewitness said at some point Crews was able to retreat from the brawling crowd and then fell unconscious in a vehicle.
Sources have confirmed the brawl involved members of two Sportsman division teams for drivers Bryan Kruczek of Newmarket, N.H. and Matthew Green of Orlando, Fla. The brawl took place in the turn three pit area outside of the track.
The New Smyrna World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing kicked off Friday for nine consecutive nights of racing at the track. The Sportsman division had features scheduled only for Friday and Saturday. The track is moving forward with racing as scheduled today.
I would think the police would want to talk to your source.