Tony Stewart mourns loss of his young racer in highway crash, see father's heartbreaking video

Ashlea Albertson had recently beaten her boss in a dirt race

Indiana State Police are investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of an up-and-coming member of the Tony Stewart Racing team.

Just before Noon on Friday, ISP troopers responded to a two-vehicle wreck that occurred on northbound Interstate 65 just south of Seymour, Ind., in Jackson County. Upon arrival, troopers found one of the passengers in the car, 24-year-old Ashlea Albertson, had been ejected from the vehicle she was riding in after it rolled over several times following impact.

Despite life-saving efforts both on the scene, as well as while being airlifted to a Louisville, Ky.-area hospital, Albertson, who drove dirt cars for TSR in the All-Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midget Series, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Here is a heartbreaking post from her father on Facebook:

According to police, Albertson and her fiancee, Jacob Kelly, 31, were returning from a vacation in Alabama and were traveling in a 2018 GMC Terrain that collided with a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Austin Cooper, 22, of Austin, Indiana.

Cooper also had an unidentified passenger in his vehicle. Kelly was also airlifted to the Louisville hospital, while Cooper and his passenger were treated at a Seymour-area medical facility. 

In their report, investigating troopers believed the collision may have occurred due to a road rage confrontation. 

Here is the official ISP statement of the incident:

“Today, August 18, 2023, at approximately 11:30 am, Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post began investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on I-65 Northbound, just south of Seymour in Jackson County.

“The initial investigation indicated that a black 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, being driven by Austin Cooper, age 22, Austin, Indiana was traveling northbound in the right lane of I-65 near the 48 mile marker. A white 2018 GMC Terrain, being driven by Jacob Kelly, age 31, Indianapolis, Indiana was traveling northbound in the left lane of I-65 at the same location. Evidence from the scene, including video footage captured by another vehicle, indicated that the two drivers began accelerating rapidly and refused to allow the other vehicle to pass.

“Cooper’s vehicle then began to change lanes into the path of Kelly’s vehicle. Jacob Kelly lost control of his vehicle and spun, which resulted in the two vehicles colliding in the middle of the northbound lanes. Kelly’s vehicle rolled, which resulted in a female passenger, Ashlea Albertson, age 24, Greenfield, Indiana being ejected from the vehicle. Cooper’s vehicle left the east side of the roadway and came to rest in a field.

“Kelly and Albertson were both flown from the scene to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment. After arriving at the hospital, Albertson was pronounced deceased. Kelly was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Cooper and a juvenile passenger were transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana where they were both treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

“Both drivers in the crash submitted to blood tests. Toxicology results are pending at this time.

“The investigation remains ongoing by Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post and the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team. At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be presented to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review for possible charges.

“Ashlea Albertson’s family has been notified.

“The northbound lanes of I-65 were closed for approximately three hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

“The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Seymour Police Department, Seymour Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, Howard’s Wrecker Service, and 31 Wrecker Service.”

Tony Stewart Racing took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue the following:

One of Albertson's wins occurred recently when she defeated Stewart in a TQ Midget Series event. Stewart is the owner of the All-Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midget Series.

Albertson was scheduled to race Saturday night, according to a report from an Indianapolis TV station on social media: