The department
issued a written statement today, saying, “The Dover Police Department can
confirm that an investigation is being conducted based on an allegation of
domestic assault that is alleged to have occurred in the City of Dover
involving Mr. Busch. These allegations were brought to the Dover Police
Department on Wednesday, November 5th at 2:00PM. At this time, the department
is still investigating the victim's claims and will not have any further
comment on this matter in order to preserve the integrity of the case. The
Dover Police Department will release further information as it becomes
available. We appreciate the public's and media's patience in this matter and
are confident that the department is taking the proper investigative steps to
ensure the case is resolved appropriately."
There has been no
word from the department on who filed the complaint against Busch, but he and
longtime girlfriend Patricia Driscoll are believed to have separated recently,
but were reportedly working toward a reconciliation in recent weeks. Driscoll had said the allegations
stem from an incident inside Busch’s motorhome at the speedway during Dover
race weekend.
In court documents field Wednesday and obtained by the Associated Press today, Driscoll claims Busch was despondent the night of Sept. 26 after his poor performance in qualifying, was "verbally abusive to her and said he wished he had a gun so that he could kill himself.”
Driscoll said Busch called her names and accused her of "having spies everywhere and having a camera on the bus to watch him." He then jumped up, grabbed her face and smashed her head three times against the wall next to the bed. Driscoll says she pushed Busch away and ran from the bedroom, going to a nearby bus to put an ice pack on her head and neck. She said the incident caused her severe pain, difficulty breathing and bruising on her neck.
Rusty Hardin, attorney for Busch, said, "The Dover Police Department has been informed that Mr. Busch will fully cooperate with their investigation and he expects to be vindicated when the entire truth of the situation comes to light. This allegation is a complete fabrication by a woman who has refused to accept the end of a relationship and Mr. Busch vehemently denies her allegations in every respect. At this time we intend to have no further comment in the media out of respect for the Dover Police Department’s desire to conduct a thorough investigation without a media circus."
NASCAR has commented on the investigation, saying they are “aware of the investigation involving driver Kurt Busch. We recognize the seriousness of this matter and are actively gathering information from all parties, including law enforcement authorities and Stewart-Haas Racing. It would be inappropriate for NASCAR to comment further on this matter until we have more information."
In court documents field Wednesday and obtained by the Associated Press today, Driscoll claims Busch was despondent the night of Sept. 26 after his poor performance in qualifying, was "verbally abusive to her and said he wished he had a gun so that he could kill himself.”
Driscoll said Busch called her names and accused her of "having spies everywhere and having a camera on the bus to watch him." He then jumped up, grabbed her face and smashed her head three times against the wall next to the bed. Driscoll says she pushed Busch away and ran from the bedroom, going to a nearby bus to put an ice pack on her head and neck. She said the incident caused her severe pain, difficulty breathing and bruising on her neck.
Rusty Hardin, attorney for Busch, said, "The Dover Police Department has been informed that Mr. Busch will fully cooperate with their investigation and he expects to be vindicated when the entire truth of the situation comes to light. This allegation is a complete fabrication by a woman who has refused to accept the end of a relationship and Mr. Busch vehemently denies her allegations in every respect. At this time we intend to have no further comment in the media out of respect for the Dover Police Department’s desire to conduct a thorough investigation without a media circus."
NASCAR has commented on the investigation, saying they are “aware of the investigation involving driver Kurt Busch. We recognize the seriousness of this matter and are actively gathering information from all parties, including law enforcement authorities and Stewart-Haas Racing. It would be inappropriate for NASCAR to comment further on this matter until we have more information."
Stewart Haas Racing, which has fielded cars for Busch this season, issued a
statement saying, “This is an allegation
Stewart-Haas Racing takes very seriously but we’re still gathering all of the
facts."
Pat LaFrieda, Chairman of the Board of Armed Forces Foundation announced that the organization has suspended its association with Busch, saying, “I want to,
first and foremost, express the direct support from the Board of Directors of
the Armed Forces Foundation to Ms. Driscoll. For more than a decade, Ms.
Driscoll has been a tireless worker and advocate for our nation’s service
members, veterans, and military families. The Foundation will continue working
to support service members, veterans, and military families and we ask that Ms.
Driscoll’s privacy be respected. Given the serious nature of the allegations,
the Foundation has suspended its association with Mr. Busch.”
Busch took part in the most recent NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at Phoenix International Raceway.
Busch took part in the most recent NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at Phoenix International Raceway.
Thanks for sticking to the facts Dave; no need for sensationalism and NFL comparisons at this time. If it is true, this is a horrible story.
ReplyDeleteNo reason to flame the guy until the facts come out. I just hope its a misunderstanding. Given his past, I hope this isn't an attempt to tarnish his character but more importantly, I hope no one was assaulted. If he assaulted someone, he's an a$$ and should be suspended. But I shall wait for the facts to come to light.
ReplyDeletehere he goes again
ReplyDeletePlease tell me its not true !!!
ReplyDeleteSeems odd to me that this happened Dover weekend 9/26-9/28 but wasn't reported to Dover PD 'till 11/5. Kurt has a history but I'm going reserve judgement until more facts come out.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you.....have to wait and see. When the facts come out, everyone will know. Kurt is an easy target, and he has the history. Who knows what happens when a relationship goes bad.
DeleteI was just telling my wife recently, that it looked like Busch has been keeping his nose clean, and in interviews, much more at ease. His positive attitude hasn't seemed as forced as it has since the Dr. Punch meltdown. I was caught off guard by this story. A couple years ago, I wouldn't have blinked an eye hearing Busch being involved in this.This is an entirely new low, if true.
ReplyDeleteIf the allegations turn out to be true, I hope NASCAR takes the lead and shows other professional sports, and society in general, how to handle abusers.
If I hear Gloria Allred's name mentioned with this I will vomit!
ReplyDelete