IndyCar driver Justin Wilson died tragically on Monday after being struck in the head by a flying piece of debris in a race on Sunday. It was a freak accident, and the most horrendous luck imaginable. When a driver dies in a race, it often prompts a round of investigation and contemplation about what can be done to prevent something like this from happening again — Dale Earnhardt’s death led to sweeping safety improvements, for example — but, in Wilson’s case, there were elements in play that no one could control.
The one thing Wilson and his family can control is what they do in the wake of such tragedy, and they’ve decided to use their choice for something positive and inspiring — donating Wilson’s organs, an act that according to Justin’s brother Stefan, saved six lives on Tuesday:
With #giftoflife @justin_wilson saved 6 lives today. He just keeps setting the bar higher. Keep Julia & the girls in your prayers #myherojw
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) August 25, 2015
It may not have been a difficult decision — if you know anyone who’s needed a donated organ to survive, the thought of paying it forward is a no-brainer — but it was still an important one that needed to be made. When faced with an event that can only be described as senseless, perhaps the only thing that makes sense is to do something good with it. Thank you, Justin, and thank you to his family.
