Erik Jones pit crew member hospitalized after pit road incident

During a pit stop during the Enjoy Illinois 300, one of Erik Jones’ pit crew members was caught up in an accident and was sent to the hospital. Originally it was reported that Austin Dillon struck the pit crew member with his car after pulling through the pit stalls. However, it was later confirmed that no contact happened between Dillon’s car and the crew member.

The AMR Safety Crew immediately attended to the NASCAR crew member. He was taken to the hospital after regaining consciousness. It was a very scary situation on pit road.

According to reports, Thomas Hatcher went down after being tangled up with another crew member. It is a nightmare situation for these over-the-wall guys when they see a crew member on the ground. They risk their health each week to get their job done on these cars.

A member of Tyler Reddick’s team filled in for the Jones crew. Reddick caused the caution before the incident. He was out of the race after a brake rotor blew on his Toyota Camry. Massive props to the 23XI Racing team and that crew member for filling in during this difficult time.

Fox now says Austin Dillon's car did *not* hit Erik Jones' tire changer. The tire changer and Jones' tire carrier got tangled up when Jones' car came in the box.

The tire changer, Thomas Hatcher, is at the hospital alert and awake. #NASCAR

— Jonathan Fjeld (@Jonathan_Fjeld) June 5, 2023

After the crew member went down, Austin Dillon came on the radio and asked why an ambulance was on pit road. According to the FS1 broadcast, Dillon’s crew was certain that there was no contact between the No. 3 Chevy and the injured pit crew member.

Thankfully there was in fact, no contact between the car and the crew member. That is the last thing anyone wants to see on the track.