Skip to content

From start to finish

From the Spring 2001 issue of The News Media & The Law, page 8.

From the Spring 2001 issue of The News Media & The Law, page 8.

Two months passed from the first part of the Orlando Sentinel series to the day a medical expert’s disclosure validated the series on NASCAR safety.

*

February

11-13th: Orlando Sentinel runs articles about NASCAR safety.

18th: Dale Earnhardt dies at Daytona International Speedway.

19th: Earnhardt’s autopsy performed. Volusia County medical examiner concludes he died from a basilar skull fracture.

21th: NASCAR expert reviews autopsy photos.

22th: Earnhardt’s widow sues the medical examiner to prevent release of photos.

23rd: NASCAR announces at a press conference that Earnhardt died because seatbelt broke, causing his chin to hit the steering wheel. Sentinel sues to get autopsy photos.

*

March

5th: Teresa Earnhardt says disclosure of photos invades her privacy. She asks lawmakers to prevent release of photos.

6th: Lawmakers receive more than 12,000 email messages demanding that photos not be released.

7th: Senate bill introduced that would make it a third-degree felony to release the autopsy photos without a court order.

16th: Sentinel and Earnhardt agree the newspaper’s expert can review the photos, but they will be sealed.

26th: Court-appointed expert Barry S. Myers from Duke University reviews photos.

29th: Senate passes the bill and governor signs it six hours later.

30th: Orlando Sentinel and Sun-Sentinel file lawsuit challenging constitutionality of the new law in Broward County.

*

April

5th: Volusia County judge allows Independent Florida Alligator to intervene in Volusia County case to challenge settlement between Earnhardt and Sentinel.

10th: Dr. Myers’ report is released, finding Earnhardt died from a head-whip basilar skull fracture.

Stay informed by signing up for our mailing list

Keep up with our work by signing up to receive our monthly newsletter. We'll send you updates about the cases we're doing with journalists, news organizations, and documentary filmmakers working to keep you informed.