NASCAR ICON DRUNK IN HONEYMOON DEATH CRASH
NASCAR pit crew member William “Rowdy” Harrell was drunk behind the wheel when he and his new bride, Blakley, died in a horrific headon collision.
That’s the shocking determination of autopsy reports for the 30-year-old tire carrier on Hendrick Motorsports team No. 8, and his 24-year-old wife, who died from “blunt-force injuries” while honeymooning in the Florida Keys on Nov. 24.
The autopsy conclusion is especially tragic for Blakley’s mom, Stacie Kelley, 45, who at first brushed off suggestions Harrell was drunk or speeding.
“I trust Rowdy’s judgment,” she said. “He would never do anything to hurt my daughter.”
While the cause of the crash has yet to be determined, Harrell had a blood-alcohol level of 0.11 — above the legal 0.08 limit, according to the toxicology report by Monroe County Medical Examiner Michael R. Steckbauer.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht also reviewed the test results, noting: “Rowdy was legally drunk with enough booze in his blood to affect his driving.”
Following a Nov. 21 wedding in Alabama, the tragic lovebirds decided to honeymoon in Florida instead of Hawaii because Blakley was afraid of catching COVID-19. Harrell was driving northbound when he veered into the southbound lane, hit a pick-up and injured the three occupants, says a Florida Highway Patrol report.