Ashton Premer Injured by Balloon

Ashton Premer, a 21-year-old NHRA Top Sportsman class drag racer from Pierce, Neb., was injured in the second of two severe storm fronts Friday that battered Illinois' Will County and Route 66 Raceway.
Premer  had been scheduled to compete in the annual JEGS Allstar sportsman bonus races during the O'Reilly Route 66 Nationals being held at the track
 He was injured by airborne debris, an inflated promotional balloon, oil can, similar to the inflatable promotional characters sometimes posted outside businesses -- during the storm and was taken to an undisclosed area hospital and treated. While his injuries are serious he is expected to make a full recovery, according to relatives in Blue Hill.
Ashton is the son of former Blue Hill residents Dr. Brent and Angela Hartman Premer.  The family  was in Joliet Illinois for the races.
 Ashton was treated at a hospital in Illinois and then Brent and Angela brought Ashton back to Nebraska to receive further treatment for his injuries. 
Ashton had a broken leg and an injured shoulder as well as other injuries.
Ashton's grandparents, Lora Premer and RayDean and Irene Hartman are Blue Hill residents.
The area near the race track experience a double whammy of nasty weather. The second punch packed winds of 60-80 mph, ripped away awnings, and, flooded many of the race teams' pit and hospitality areas.
A storm blew into the area before noon Friday,and turned a sunny sky midnight-black and dumped rain like a monsoon.
As the fans and racers  were filing out of the stands, the second huge storm and 80-mph winds struck the track. The still-inflated promotional balloons were ripped from their moorings and sailed towards the departing crowds, striking Ashton Premer and others and knocking them around. At one point, five ambulances were treating the injured and scared fans. Ashton was the only person seriously injured in the strong thunderstorm that moved through Joliet Friday night bringing with them winds of 85 to 90 mph. according to officials..

.