By Jerry Jordan, Editor
Hendrick Motorsports has confirmed that Edward “Eddie” James D’Hondt has been “immediately and indefinitely” suspended from the organization after news of two alleged assaults came to light in the past 24-hours.
D’Hondt has also been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR, according to the sanctioning body’s penalty report.
“We became aware of the situation this morning and have immediately and indefinitely suspended Mr. D’Hondt’s role with our company,” reads a statement provided to Kickin’ the Tires from Hendrick Motorsports. “We are taking this matter very seriously and will continue to seek additional information about the alleged incident.”
D’Hondt is the spotter for NASCAR defending Cup Series Champion, and inaugural race winner this past weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
According to records in Catawba County, North Carolina, D’Hondt is accused of “Misdemeanor – Assault on a Female” and “Misdemeanor – Battery of an Unborn Child.” His court date for both cases is set for June 7, 2021, according to the Catawba County Clerk’s Office, who spoke with Kickin’ the Tires via phone Wednesday morning.
A copy of the arrest warrant for “assault on a female” states, “I, the undersigned, find that there is probable cause to believe that on or about the date of offense shown and in the county named above you unlawfully and willfully did assault and strike IRENE ELIZABETH YOUNG, a female person, by FULL BODY BUBB ING HER, FACE TO FACE AND SPIT COMING ONTO HER FACE, WHEN SHE PUT HER HAND UP AND TOLD HIM TO STAY BACK SHEW AS PREGEANT HE SLAPPED HER HAND OUT OF THEW A Y AND CAME AT HER PUSHING HER BACK WITH HIS BODY.. The defendant is a male person and was at least 18 years of age when the assault and striking occurred.”
The first document was signed by Magistrate Judge A.C. Price.
A second warrant for arrest states, which is for alleges “battery on an unborn child” states, “To any officer with authority and jurisdiction to execute a warrant for arrest for the offense(s) charged below:
“I, the undersigned, find that there is probable cause to believe that on or about the date of offense shown and in the county named above the defendant named above unlawfully and willfully did COMMIT A BATTERY BY PUSHING HER WITH HIS BODY ON HER STOMACH ON IRENE ELIZABETH YOUNG WHO WAS PREGNANT AT THE TIME OF THE BATTERY.”
The second document was signed by Magistrate Judge James B. Wike.
According to North Carolina Law, Section 14-23.6. Battery on an unborn child, “(a) A person is guilty of the separate offense of battery on an unborn child if the person commits a battery on a pregnant woman. This offense is a lesser-included offense of G.S. 14-23.5. (b) Penalty. – Any person who commits an offense under this section is guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor. (2011-60, s. 2.)”
Regarding the alleged Misdemeanor – Assault on a Female charges, Section 14-33. Misdemeanor assaults, batteries, and affrays, simple and aggravated; punishments of North Carolina Law states, “(2) Assaults a female, he being a male person at least 18 years of age …”
There are varying punishment ranges for misdemeanor assault in North Carolina.
Regarding what the team will do to provide Elliott with a spotter this weekend, the Hendrick Motorsports statement read, “A spotter for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway has not been named at this time.”
A message left on a cell phone number believed to belong to D’Hondt has not been returned.
AN ARREST IS NOT AN INDICATION OF GUILT. D’HONDT HAS AN ARRAIGNMENT COURT DATE ON JUNE 7, 2021.
