msrpk.com blog

Eric Medlen, NHRA Funny Car Driver, Dies From Injuries After a Testing Accident in Gainesville, FL

Sad news for the straight-line warriors of the NHRA...the details courtesy of John Force Racing:

"The talented Funny Car driver never regained consciousness. After being treated at the track, Eric was transported by ShandsCair helicopter to Shands at the University of Florida medical center where medical staff treated him for four days for a severe closed head injury. “Eric suffered from severe traumatic brain injury with diffuse axonal injury, or DAI,” said Dr. Joseph Layon, Professor of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Medicine and the Chief of Critical Care Medicine at UF. “Survival rates associated with DAI are low. “On Tuesday, UF and Shands neurosurgery team performed a cranjectomy and removed the front portion of the skull to relieve pressure and attempt to improve blood flow to the brain,” Dr. Layon explained. “Despite receiving the most aggressive treatment, Eric continued to have uncontrollable intracranial pressure. His body lost the ability to manage its salt and water levels and he began displaying the complicating factors associated with DAI. “That is when Eric’s family elected to honor Eric’s wishes and remove him from the artificial life support systems. Our hearts go out to Eric’s loved ones.”"

Eric drove for John Force Racing's 4 Funny Car team. His crew chief was his dad, and drag race veteran, John Medlen. We'll link to a site or two where you can express sympathies in a comment.

Paul Kaminski
3/23/2007