Drivers escape Pocono spill with no serious injuries

Drivers involved in a race mishap in the 16th and final race of the evening Tuesday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs escaped serious injuries.

 

George Napolitano Jr., former multiple driving and training champion at the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack, appeared to have sustained a severe head injury when he went flying backwards after being unseated in the accident near the three-quarter pole in the race. He lay motionless for a while after coming down hard on his head and was transported to the nearby Geisinger Medical Center in Plains Township, where he was treated and released from the emergency room.

 

Mike Simons, another of the top drivers at the racetrack, also was unseated in the frightening mishap that involved at least four horses in the race but sustained only a few bumps or bruises. He walked away from the accident scene. Also apparently unscathed was Chase Vandervort.

 

The chain-reaction accident occurred as the trotters were in single file approaching the three-quarter pole when suddenly Kristal Dream (Andrew McCarthy) took a bad step and went on a break.

 

Bryce Truitt, sitting behind Kristal Dream with Alex R, attempted to avoid hitting Kristal Dream and was struck by Napolitano and American Cool. Simons was behind Napolitano with Techalong and also was involved in the collision along with Marion Mississippi (Chase Vandervort).

 

Only four horses finished the race, including Spit N Shine, who won the race with a time of 2:02.4 with Alex R second and Red Light third.

 

Kristal Dream, who was fourth in the race, was disqualified for causing the accident, leaving only three horses remaining that completed the race. (Pocono Downs)