Nicky Hayden, a former MotoGP champion, has died from injuries he sustained when a car crashed into his bicycle five days ago.
He was 35 years old.
The sad news was confirmed by Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena, where Hayden had been a patient the scary collision last Wednesday.
Hayden suffered severe cerebral damage and multiple traumatic injuries as a result of the incident.
Said the hospital in a statement this afternoon:
“The medical team has verified the death of the patient Nicholas Patrick Hayden, who has been undergoing care since last Wednesday May 17 in the intensive care unit of the Bufalini Hospital in Cesena following a very serious polytrauma which occurred the same day.”
On the entertainment front, Hayden was named one of People Magazine’s Hottest Bachelors in 2005.
“Racing is what I grew up doing, it’s in my family’s blood. I’m pretty happy-go-lucky,” he told the publication at the time, adding;
“I travel so much, I’ve met a lot of chicks in airports.”
Hayden was cycling along the Rimini coast in Italy last Wednesday when he was hit by a Peugeot, whose windshield was smashed in the accident.
Judicial authorities have opened an investigation into the crash and questioned the 30-year-old driver of the car that struck Hayden.
According to The Guardian, the driver was given a Breathalyzer test and was not over the limit at the time.
Hayden won the MotoGP title in 2006; his career started in 2003, with Hayden posting three victories and 28 top three finishes in 218 total races.
Hayden was 13th in Superbike this season, riding for the Red Bull Honda team.
In response to Hayden’s death, motorcycle racers reacted to Hayden’s death on Twitter.
Here’s a sampling of what they have said:
We also send our condolences to the friends, family members and loved ones of Nicky Hayden.
Hayden was born in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Multiple family members had flown in from the United States in the wake of Hayden’s accident, including Hayden’s mother and brother.
May he rest on peace.
