Ultimate Bet Poker Star Phil Hellmuth in Fair Condition Following Head On CrashAn Ultimate Bet promotional race car with poker star Phil Hellmuth crashed in the Rio Hotel and Casino parking lot during a show late Sunday evening.
Hellmuth escaped the crash with his life and is in satisfactory condition heading into Monday morning.
Hellmuth is expected to be well enough to continue competing in the 2007 World Series of Poker.
WickedChopsPoker first reported the incident to Gambling911.com early Monday morning.
Phil Hellmuth was entered into Poker Hall of Fame this past week
"We are thankful that Phil (Hellmuth) survived the crash and our prayers go out to his family," Gambling911.com Senior Editor Payton O'Brien addressed the issue during the wee hours of Monday morning. "Ultimate Bet officials will investigate the cause of this accident beginning Monday morning."The race car was completely destroyed in the horrific wreck. The impact nearly crippled Hellmuth though the available video of this crash does little to re-enforce this possible outcome.
See Video of Crash Here (updated 4:16 am ET)
"I thought he might not come out alive," said Mary Higgins of Henderson, Nevada, who witnessed the crash. "It is usually the crashes that don't look so bad that result in fatalities."
"Thankfully, Hellmuth made it out of the accident unharmed," commented Brian Cooley of WickedChopsPoker.com.
Gambling911.com attempted to reach Ultimate Bet publicist Jessica Green at 2:00 am ET and throughout Monday morning, but she was unavailable for comment. Urgent inquiries were being made throughout the early morning hours until 4:00 am in an attempt to learn more about Hellmuth's condition.
"We believe he suffered very few injuries," a relieved O'Brien disclosed.
Whether Hellmuth's brush with death will change his perspective on life and his poker playing ability remains to be seen.
By 4:17 am ET a video of the crash was released which showed a startled Hellmuth exiting his totaled vehicle unharmed but badly shaken. WickedChops released the video through its sex-laden RawVegas.tv subsidiary.
"The car sustained serious damage and (Phil) Hellmuth needs to consider re-taking driving lessons," a weary-eyed O'Brien suggested.
"He should never have been behind the wheel of that death trap," said another bystander who contacted Gambling911.com early Monday morning. "The brakes appeared to have failed. Either that or he is going blind!"
Hellmuth hit a cinderblock barricade clocked at 172 mph.
Ultimate Bet is a premium sponsor of the Gambling911.com website.
Ultimate Bet Promotional Car Pictured Above
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Gambling911.com News Wire
Originally published July 9, 2007 2:12 am ET Updated 4:17 am ET
