Driver dies after horse racing accident at The Meadows
A harness driver died after a serious accident during a horse race at The Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in Washington County.
Twenty-seven-year-old Hunter Myers died Thursday morning "after a tragic racing accident" on Wednesday afternoon, the casino and Meadows Standardbred Owners Association said in a statement.
"Hunter was a rising star in our industry. The Meadows racing community, and the entire harness racing industry, are deeply saddened by this tragic event," the association said.
Myers was driving in the race on Wednesday when an accident involving six horses took place, according to longtime track announcer Roger Huston. Reports say one horse lost its stride, causing a chain reaction crash involving several other horses and riders.
Huston says that Myers was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital by medical helicopter.
A video profiling Myers shared on social media earlier this year referred to him as "one of the top harness racing drivers at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows."
Tributes to Hunter Myers pour in
Several organizations, like the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, expressed their condolences on social media.
Pacing For The Cure, a nonprofit that helps people with diseases like multiple sclerosis and Lou Gehrig's, said there are "no words" for the loss of Myers.
"To know Hunter was to love him. We send prayers to his family at this time. We will forever be proud to have had him on our PFTC team. It was a contribution to the great person he was," Pacing For The Cure said.
The Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association called Myers "a young star" who "was taken too early from us."
Mike Wilder had his own accident at The Meadows last year. He said Myers was like a son to him. "This is very hard," he said in a statement. "I loved him so much."
Myers leaves behind a fiancée and son.
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association says racing has been canceled for the rest of the week. The racing community will honor Myers Saturday in Wilkes-Barre at the Pocono Downs. They will pass out green ribbons to be placed on the other horses, as well as a fundraiser for Myers' fiancée and son.
