Authorities in Georgia say former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley was fatally shot on Saturday as he attacked his estranged wife and another man with a hatchet.
According to Athens police, officers arrived at a residence and found Laura Townley, 30, and John Townley, 31, shot.
Police said John Townley showed up at the house occupied by Laura and Zachary Anderson, 32, with a hatchet.
During the altercation, Anderson fired several shots from his gun, striking John and Laura.
Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital, where John was later pronounced dead. Laura was seriously injured, but she is expected to survive, police said.
According to NBC News, John drove a car owned by his father, Tony Townley, who co-founded Zaxby’s restaurant chain.
The Associated Press reported that Townley made 186 starts across the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series, whose only career win was six years ago.
