Indianapolis Speedrome driver charged after mob swarms his car
An Indianapolis Speedrome race driver is facing felony charges after a Saturday night crash at the track and his driving afterward touched off what police described as a near riot at the Indianapolis racing facility. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday filed two Level 6 felony counts of criminal recklessness against 35-year-old Dana Tunny in connection with the incident.
According to court documents, Tunny is accused of purposely crashing his number T8 race car into a disabled vehicle on the track. Police said the disabled car had just spun out after becoming entangled with Tunny’s brother during the race.
Video shared with WXIN shows the number 28 car coming to a rest after spinning out on the track. The driver was climbing out of his car when Tunny, driving a white T8 car, is accused of purposely slamming into the disabled race car while the driver was standing atop it.
The crowd can be heard reacting in anger at the unsportsmanlike and dangerous collision. The driver of the number 28 car immediately charges Tunny’s race car and begins striking and kicking at Tunny before police officers drag him away from the car.
Court documents detail how the incident caused a “significant reaction from spectators, race participants and individuals in the pit area.”
Videos shared online show a riot-like reaction as Tunny’s vehicle is swarmed by angry spectators both on the track and in the pits. Police noted how the irate mob kicked Tunny’s car, knocking off pieces, and threw various items at the race car while screaming profanities at him.
Police said the crowd continued to get increasingly hostile toward Tunny as officers tried to separate the mob from the vehicle.
At one point, as Tunny drove through the pit area, he is accused of rapidly accelerating and swerving at several angry individuals, causing them to jump out of the way. A video shared online allegedly shows this incident.
Police said Tunny “escalated the already hostile situation” and created “substantial risk of bodily injury” by swerving at those crowd members.
Officers ultimately escorted Tunny from the area and dealt with numerous confrontations and fights from members of the angry mob.
In the court documents, officers said Tunny should be charged with criminal recklessness for his actions in the pits and for the collision on the track.
A Level 6 felony carries a maximum sentence of 2 1/2 years in prison.
