CNN Today
Preliminary Autopsy Report Shows Earnhardt Massive Head Injuries Killed Dale Earnhardt
Aired February 19, 2001 - 1:19 p.m. ETTHIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: A preliminary autopsy released this morning indicates that race-car driving legend Dale Earnhardt died from blunt-force head injuries suffered in yesterday's Daytona 500. The racing champion was just seconds away from finishing, rounding the last turn of the last lap when his black Chevy, No. 3, clipped another car and slammed into a cement wall.
CNN's Susan Candiotti is in Daytona with more on the findings and the mood at Daytona today -- Susan.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Lou. It is indeed a stunning day for the racing world and those who work here at Daytona International Speedway. As one of the 50 all-time greats on the NASCAR circuit, Dale Earnhardt is dead at the age of 49, a man who said he had racing in his blood.
And as you indicated not long ago, we learned the initial results of the preliminary autopsy. And those results, not surprising.
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DAVE BYRON, VOLUSIA COUNTY SPOKESMAN: This morning the autopsy on Mr. Earnhardt's body was completed at about 10:20 by the Volusia County medical examiner. And I have today for you the death certificate worksheet, which describes the cause of death as blunt force injuries of the head.
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CANDIOTTI: The Daytona 500 on Sunday attracted close to 200,000 fans, an exciting race that oftentimes had those fans on their feet. They were able to watch the results of these new aerodynamic requirements made of the race-car drivers, which made it easier for the drivers to pass because it reduced the draft on the cars.
Now many experts we've talked with say it probably had very little to do with Sunday's accident. More so there is discussion of these hands hands (ph) devices, the head and neck restraints that Dale Earnhardt was not driving, but some drivers say they will begin to use as a result of his accident.
Now outside the speedway here this day, impromptu memorials set up by fans of Dale Earnhardt. We saw a lot of tears being shed for him. The flags here at the raceway flown at half-staff.
And in a recent interview back in December, Dale Earnhardt told a reporter that he felt as though he would -- he would know when it was time for him to quit. But now apparently that decision has been made for him.
Back to you, Lou.
WATERS: Susan, this is the third fatality, NASCAR fatality in the past 9 months. And while you say -- some drivers now say they will use this head and protection, it's still voluntary. Even at this time, many are saying it's time for NASCAR to make it mandatory. Is there any talk about that today?
CANDIOTTI: That's right. There is additional talk about that today, and there certainly will be in view of the loss of Dale Earnhardt, most certainly. It is not a requirement on the NASCAR circuit. It is for Formula One drivers. So again, oftentimes in times of crisis, it's the kind of thing that spurs debate and discussion, and surely that will happen here.
WATERS: And we'll continue to follow that story, of course. Susan Candiotti in Daytona. And in a couple of hours or so -- a little less than a couple of hours, according to our schedule, CNN will take you to a live NASCAR news conference regarding the Dale Earnhardt death. That news conference is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern, noon Pacific. We plan live coverage.
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