Worker, cleaning debris off track, run over by paraplegic race driver

Roy H. Weaver III died after being hit by the car traveling more 100 mph.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- A paraplegic who wanted to pursue his love of racing. A worker trying to do his job in the middle of the track. A tragic Daytona accident that's sure to spur debate about yellow flags and disabled drivers.
A 44-year-old worker was killed Sunday by a car going more than 100 mph, struck down while picking up debris during a preliminary race for next weekend's Daytona 500.
The driver, Ray Paprota, is the first known paraplegic to race in a national stock car series. He controlled his car with levers, buttons and knobs located on or around the steering wheel.
"I'm sure they're going to point the finger at him," said Wally Leatherwood, a fellow driver in the IPOWER Dash 150.
During caution period
Roy H. Weaver III, who worked at Daytona International Speedway for seven years, was in the middle of turn two picking up debris during a caution period when he was killed, track spokesman David Talley said.
Paprota, who hasn't had use of his legs since a 1984 auto accident, was trying to catch the main pack of cars after a two-car crash at the opposite end of the track brought out a yellow flag.
Most of Paprota's colleagues rallied around him, saying the mishap could have happened to any of them.
"A procedure needs to be developed that would slow the cars down when track workers are physically on the track," Leatherwood said. "It's sad that it takes something like this to get their attention."
He questioned whether workers should be allowed on to the track while cars are running -- even at slower speeds under yellow. And, as apparently happened in this case, drivers are allowed to speed up to get back in line behind the safety car after coming out of the pits.
"The guy went on the racetrack to do his job and he was killed," Leatherwood said. "They shouldn't be on the track unless they're 100 percent sure there's no danger."
Most vulnerable spot
Jeff Tillman, who was running behind Paprota, said the accident occurred at the most vulnerable spot on the track. Weaver was standing in the middle of the track and flipped over Paprota's car after being struck.
"It's blind in there," Tillman said. "You have maybe 200 yards of visibility at 120 mph."
The race was red-flagged for about 11/2 hours, finally running to the finish under the lights after police investigated the scene and took pictures of Paprota's car in the garage.
Paprota was loaded into a wheelchair-accessible van and left the track without discussing the accident with reporters.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I can't say anything."