Simpson Says Video Shows Earnhardt’s Belt Didn’t Break

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The maker of the seat belt used in Dale Earnhardt’s car said a fan has come forward with video showing Earnhardt being cut from the seat belt.

Bill Simpson, founder and chairman of Simpson Performance Products, told ESPN radio that a fan sent him a video of the crash that killed Earnhardt in the Daytona 500.

“Since this whole thing has surfaced and since NASCAR did their press conference, there’s a spectator that has come forward with videotape and it clearly shows an EMT [emergency medical technician] getting into the car with a knife--and that’s what it looked like to me--like it had been cut,” Simpson said. “I have a copy of it now and it’s out being enhanced at the moment.”

After the Feb. 18 crash, NASCAR reported that a broken seat belt was discovered in Earnhardt’s car. The news resulted in at least one racing team dropping Simpson as a supplier, and angry racing fans sent Simpson death and bomb threats.