---
title: "IndyCar: Injured Robert Wickens Now Breathing Without Medical Assistance"
description: "The popular driver has undergone several surgeries since his crash a week ago."
date: "2018-08-25"
modified: "2018-08-25"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/23142/indycar-injured-robert-wickens-now-breathing-without-medical-assistance"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Crash"
  - "indycar"
  - "James Hinchcliffe"
  - "News"
  - "Pocono Raceway"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
  - "Robert Wickens"
  - "sam schmidt"
---

# IndyCar: Injured Robert Wickens Now Breathing Without Medical Assistance

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/08/9sg4828-1.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Canadian IndyCar driver Robert Wickens is reported to be breathing without the assistance of medical equipment at the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he has been under intensive care since his [violent racing crash](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/23007/indycar-robert-wickens-under-medical-evaluation-after-violent-crash>) on Aug. 19.

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports has released several updates regarding Wickens' health over the course of the week, with the first few painting a dreary picture about the driver's overall condition due to severe orthopedic injuries. However, after undergoing an [emergency spinal cord surgery](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/23044/robert-wickens-spinal-cord-stabilized-with-titanium-hardware-after-vicious-crash>), it was reported on Thursday that the Canadian was in stable condition. The IndyCar rising star also suffered from two broken ankles, a broken arm, and a pulmonary contusion.

![message-editor%2F1535242084993-16c\_5500-1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1535242084993-16c_5500-1.jpg>)
*These stickers can be seen on IndyCars this weekend in support of Wickens., *IndyCar**

"For the first time following his Aug. 19 incident at Pocono Raceway, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens is breathing without medical assistance and speaking with his family," said a team spokesperson.

"Robert’s family and the entire SPM organization are very pleased to share this information and wish everyone a safe event tonight in St. Louis."

Wickens was involved in a crash with Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay while contesting the seventh lap of a 500-mile race at Pocono Raceway when the two touched each other and lost control of their machines. Hunter-Reay slammed against the wall but Wickens caught air and began [flying through the air](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/23007/indycar-robert-wickens-under-medical-evaluation-after-violent-crash>) and spinning wildly out of control. The vicious collision also took out James Hinchcliffe, [Pietro Fittipaldi](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/22392/pietro-fittipaldi-gets-behind-the-wheel-of-an-indycar-two-months-after-gruesome-crash>), and Takuma Sato.

We will continue to update on his condition as more information is released by official sources.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)