UPDATE: 12:10PM a local Pocono paper released the name of the man as Brian F. Zimmerman. He leaves behind his wife and three children.
A 41-year-old man was killed and another fan was in critical condition after multiple lightning strikes occurred after a NASCAR Sprint Cup race was cut short by thunderstorms Sunday at Pocono Raceway. In total ten people were stuck by lightning following a rain shortened event at Pocono Raceway.
According to various reports the fan was in the vicinity of (or leaning on) his vehicle in lot 3 after the track was evacuated.
Monroe county coroner Bob Allen said the victim was in cardiac arrest at the scene and efforts to revive him by emergency responders and doctors at the track were unsuccessful. Allen released the man’s age but declined to identify him, saying he had just informed the victim’s wife and she had yet to tell his children or his parents. An autopsy will be performed, Allen said.
The race was delayed by 90 minutes due to rain and was shortened due to rain. Jeff Gordon was declared the winner. It was the 86th career win for Gordon and first of 2012.
