It was a frightening day for NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt Jr., his wife Amy and their daughter, Isla. According to several reports, a private plane was carrying the Earnhardt family when it crashed shortly after takeoff in Tennessee.
Sherrif Dexter Lunceford of Carter County, Tennessee confirmed the Earnhardt family was on board the aircraft at the time of the crash, as well as another individual, a family dog, and the pilot. All survived the crash and were taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
NEW: Video shows thick, black smoke rising from the site of a small plane crash that was carrying Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his family. Everyone on board, including Earnhardt, escaped the wreck, said the local sheriff. https://t.co/2nqljR6C5C pic.twitter.com/noizctpZVk
— ABC News (@ABC) August 15, 2019
Earnhardt’s sister, Kelley, took to Twitter to confirm the information, saying, “I can confirm Dale, Amy and Isla along with his two pilots were involved in a crash in Bristol, TN this afternoon. Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation,” she said. “We have no further information at this time. Thank you for your understanding.”
I can confirm Dale, Amy & Isla along with his two pilots were involved in a crash in Bristol TN this afternoon. Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation. We have no further information at this time. Thank you for your understanding.
— Kelley Earnhardt (@EarnhardtKelley) August 15, 2019
While it’s not clear what caused the crash, Airport manager Dan Cogan reported that the plane ran off the runway at the Elizabethton Airport and caught fire.
