Mooresville-based NASCAR team in deadly Texas wreck involving 18-wheeler carrying race cars

GREGG COUNTY, Texas — Members from a Mooresville-based racing team were involved in a deadly wreck Tuesday in east Texas that involved an 18-wheeler carrying NASCAR vehicles. One of its employees died.

The crash happened in the eastern part of the state on Interstate 20 near Longview, KLTV reported.

The driver of the semi-truck, identified as Steven C. Stotts, 54, of Valley Head, West Virginia, failed to control its speed and struck a Honda Passport towing a trailer, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

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The crash caused the tractor-trailer to catch fire.

Stotts, a co-driver for Mooresville-based David Gilliland Racing, died at the scene.

Stotts’ two passengers, Michael Mizzelle, of Mooresville, and John P. Zaverl, of Mocksville, were hurt during the crash. They were treated at the hospital and released.

The driver of the Honda was also hospitalized.

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Statement from David Gilliand Racing:

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Steve Stotts, co-driver for our No. 17 ARCA team transporter, that was involved in an accident early this morning near Longview, Texas. Our deepest sympathies go out to Steven’s family and friends.

John Zaverl and Michael Mizzelle, who were passengers in the transporter, have been treated and released from a local hospital. Our continued thoughts are with the driver of the second vehicle involved in the accident.”

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