Kyle Busch's death certificate shares new details around 'weeks-long' illness
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: James Gilbert/Getty Images
NASCAR star Kyle Busch died last Thursday (21 May) at the young age of just 41years old.
According to the death certificate exclusively obtained by Us Weekly, Busch suffered a 'chain of events' that led to his death, beginning with bacterial pneumonia he had for 'days to weeks' before he died.
The certificate details how the pneumonia progressed into sepsis, which the medical examiner determined he likely had for one day.
The sepsis then caused disseminated intravascular coagulation, a condition in which small blood clots form in the bloodstream and block blood flow to organs.
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That ultimately led to hemorrhagic shock, caused by severe internal or external blood loss.
Busch died just one day after he was taken to hospital after being found unresponsive in a racing simulator in North Carolina.
His death certificate matches the statement released by his family on Saturday (23 May), announcing that he died of pneumonia that progressed 'into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications'.
"The family asks for continued understanding and privacy during this difficult time," the statement concluded.
A 911 call made on May 20th, obtained by PEOPLE, also revealed that Busch had been 'coughing up blood' and lying on a bathroom floor before he was hospitalised.
The outlet reports that the driver had passed out while practising on a racing simulator when an ambulance was called on his behalf.
“I’ve got an individual that’s [got] shortness of breath, very hot," the caller said. "[He] thinks he’s going to pass out, and he’s producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.
"He is awake. He's awake on the bathroom floor right now."
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and their two children, son Brexton, 11, and four-year-old daughter Lennix.
NASCAR emotionally honoured Busch before the start of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday (24 May), just days after his sudden, tragic death.
The event is an annual 600-mile NASCAR Cup Series points race held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, and it turned into somewhat of a memorial as the devastated family were emotionally honoured during it.
Before the race began, Samantha broke down in tears and embraced her children during a moment of silence for the late driver, before ‘Amazing Grace’ was performed on the bagpipes.
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell looked at the grieving family as he said, "Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you, and that you and your children are NASCAR family forever."