Race car driver. Reece was a 6 time veteran of the Indianapolis 500, with Top Ten finishes in 1952, 1956 and 1958. While operating a home video camera, Reece captured 1955 Indianapolis 500 winner Bob Sweikert's fatal accident at the Salem (IN) Speedway on June 17. 1956. During a multi-car accident in turn three on the first lap of the 1958 500-mile classic, Reece was struck by Bob Veith, causing his car to spin in front of popular Pat O'Connor, who catapaulted over Reece, flipped and was killed. Reece reportedly held himself responsible for O'Connor's death due to his breaking maneuver during the accident. This may have played a role in his death later that year during a championship car race at the Trenton (NJ) Speedway. Reece was dueling Johnny Thomson for second place on the last lap and got into an awkward position in a turn. Some feel that rather than breaking and possibly putting Thomson at risk, Reece did not hit his brakes hard enough, if at all, plowed through a barrier and flew through the air to his death, landing over 50 feet from his badly damaged car.
Race car driver. Reece was a 6 time veteran of the Indianapolis 500, with Top Ten finishes in 1952, 1956 and 1958. While operating a home video camera, Reece captured 1955 Indianapolis 500 winner Bob Sweikert's fatal accident at the Salem (IN) Speedway on June 17. 1956. During a multi-car accident in turn three on the first lap of the 1958 500-mile classic, Reece was struck by Bob Veith, causing his car to spin in front of popular Pat O'Connor, who catapaulted over Reece, flipped and was killed. Reece reportedly held himself responsible for O'Connor's death due to his breaking maneuver during the accident. This may have played a role in his death later that year during a championship car race at the Trenton (NJ) Speedway. Reece was dueling Johnny Thomson for second place on the last lap and got into an awkward position in a turn. Some feel that rather than breaking and possibly putting Thomson at risk, Reece did not hit his brakes hard enough, if at all, plowed through a barrier and flew through the air to his death, landing over 50 feet from his badly damaged car.
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
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