The local drag racing community is mourning the loss of one of its own following a tragic accident Saturday night that claimed the life of a Chattanooga man who was working at the Brainerd Optimist Dragway in Ringgold.
53-year-old Johnny Walker, who had worked at the track for 18 years, was run over prior to the start of a race around 7 p.m., and then rushed to Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga.
Walker died the next day after he was taken off of life support by his family.
During a charity event that was taking place, 22-year-old Hillary Mason, was being lined up by track workers when she rapidly accelerated in reverse and backed up over Walker, reports show.
When Catoosa County sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene, Mason had already left the track, reports show.
Mason never actually returned to the track, but did show up at the Sheriff's Office with her father a little while after the incident so that she could discuss the incident with detectives.
As the case stands now, Mason isn't facing any criminal charges.
"There have been no charges filed at this time," said Maj. Gary Sisk. "The case is under investigation, but so far there is nothing to indicate that the incident was a criminal act. The case appears to be an accident, but we will present our investigation to the district attorney's office when we're finished, and they would make a determination on the case from there."
Hillary Mason has not returned phone calls seeking comment on the incident.
Saturday's "Draggin' for Toys" event at the strip raised money for T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger and also collected toys for Providence Ministries.
