Man Charged after Running Over People with Car at Martinsville Speedway

Gary T. Edem has officially been charged with reckless driving after Hitting 22 NASCAR Fans with his Car

Gary Edem has been placed on an unsecured $7,500 bond. He is the suspect involved in an accident involving 22 NASCAR fans after Sunday’s Goody’s 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

Jimmie Johnson drove to victory lane in Jeff Gordon’s final race. However, fans that witnessed the historic NASCAR moment were hit with a tragity outside the speedway.

Man Charged after Hitting People with Car at Martinsville Speedway

The Martinsville Speedway incident went viral on Sunday. People scattered as the car plowed through NASCAR fans, 22 of them ranging for all ages.

The incident appears to be an accident. Instead of an act of terror, as some social media posts suggested. However, the man behind the wheel has been arrested and charged.

Corinne N. Geller is the Public Relations Director for the Virginia State Police (VSP). She states, Edem at age 65 of Fairfax, Va., was taken into custody. Officers and medics quickly responded after reports of pedestrians being struck by a car at the NASCAR track.

Gary Edem was the man driving the 2005 Chevrolet SSR convertible that stuck pedestrians at Martinsville Speedway. He attempted to pass a Jeep, they collided. Edem then drove through a crowd of fans exiting the race track.

12 of the people hit were transported to Memorial Hospital in Martinsville, Virginia. They are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Their ages ranged from as young as 12 to as old as 65-years-of-age. 5 of the people hit were from North Carolina, 3 from Virginian, 2 from Georgia and another 2 were from Ohio.

An additional 5 pedestrians were transported to Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden, North Carolina. Also, for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. That group of victims included a 40-year-old female from Ararat, Virginia who was also with her 15-year-old daughter.

5 additional pedestrians were treated on the scene at Martinsville Speedway. Those suffered minor injuries.

First responders at the Martinsville Speedway car crash scene included; the City of Martinsville Sheriff’s Office, The Ridgeway District Volunteer Rescue, Ridgeway District Volunteer Fire, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Department of Public Safety and VSP.

Virginia State Police Communications Director Corinne Geller said that additional charges could be filed.

“State police are still working to determine the exact cause of the crashes,” Geller said.

According to the police, the incident had a quick response. Many vehicles needed were already at the speedway.

Quotes: MartinsvilleBulletin.com

Photos: MyFox8.com / Daniel Shirey/NASCAR via Getty Images

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