Petty Crewman Arrested UPDATE 3 Petty Announcement: A mechanic for NASCAR driver Kyle Petty was arrested after a city traffic accident seriously injured an off-duty beach patrol officer. Jeremy Lee Upchurch an engine tuner for Petty’s #45 Dodge, was arrested and charged Monday night with aggravated battery with a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, culpable negligence, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving(That’s Racin’/AP)(2-14-2001) UPDATE: NASCAR driver Kyle Petty visited Halifax Medical Center on Wednesday night to apologize for a wreck police say was caused by one of Pettys mechanics, a wreck that badly injured a Volusia County Beach Patrol officer. But family members and friends said Thursday that they wouldnt let Petty see Alan White, who at the time didnt know the circumstances that left him with multiple skull fractures, two cracked vertebrae and other injuries. They said White was too weak to see Petty. Also, Upchurch was fired from Pettys team and was not with the pit crew for Thursdays Twin 125 races. See the full story at the Orlando Sentinel(2-16-2001) UPDATE 2: A police officer who was critically injured during a car wreck involving two NASCAR mechanics is suing the men and Petty Enterprises Inc. Alan White, 47, said in a lawsuit filed Thursday that Petty Enterprises provided a rental car for Joseph Fiorelli, 39, and Jeremy Upchurch, 25, despite knowing of their “immaturity and propensity to consume alcoholic beverages and then operate motor vehicles while under the influence.” White also named the rental car’s owner, Enterprise Leasing Co. of Orlando, in the lawsuit. He is seeking more than $15,000 in damages(Orlando Sentinel)(3-2-2001) UPDATE 3: While their prayers are still with an injured off-duty police officer in Daytona Beach, Fla., Petty Enterprises is disturbed with unfounded news reports that it has fired crew member Joseph Fiorelli, Kyle Petty said. Fiorelli was the victim of a passenger.s dangerous prank in an automobile during Speed Weeks at Daytona several weeks ago. Fiorelli was driving the car while Jeremy Upchurch, who was not a Petty Enterprises employee but rather an employee of an engine building company, was riding in the front passenger seat. According to police reports, Upchurch suddenly put his left foot on Fiorelli.s right foot, mashing the gas pedal down. Fiorelli fought to regain control of the car but slammed into an SUV which was making a turn. Upchurch was reportedly arrested, and Fiorelli was not cited for any violation. As the police record indicates, alcohol was not involved as none of those in the car had been drinking. “Joseph was a victim as much as anybody in this deal, and it.s sad that he remains a victim,” Petty said. “There have been unfounded rumors about his employment and I guess some news people have picked up on that. The fact of the matter is Joe Fiorelli is a solid citizen and a valued member of Petty Enterprises and continues to work with the #44 team, and we plan on him being with us for a long time. “The other guy was not our employee. He was in the car and all indications are he had some pretty poor judgement,” Petty replied. “I hate that anybody was hurt because of this but I also hate that Joe is getting dragged through the mud over somebody else.s doings.” Fiorelli will be at the 500-mile race in Hampton, Ga., this week assisting in preparations for that race. He was also at races in Rockingham, NC, and Las Vegas, NV(Williams Company PR)(3-6-2001)
