Bill Vukovich fatal crash (1955)

Bill Vukovich, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, was killed in a multi-car crash on May 30, 1955 during the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His car became involved in a pileup on lap 57, struck the outside retaining wall and was hit by following cars; Vukovich suffered fatal injuries at the scene. The accident was widely reported and remains one of the sport's most noted early fatalities, prompting continued attention to driver and track safety.