Police investigating domestic assault allegations against Kurt Busch

A criminal investigation is underway involving NASCAR driver Kurt Busch and long-time girlfriend Patricia Driscoll.

“(We) can confirm that an investigation is being conducted based on an allegation of domestic assault that is alleged to have occurred in the City of Dover involving Mr. Busch,” the police department in Dover, Del., said in a statement Friday afternoon.

The statement says allegations were brought to the police on Nov. 5, but the investigation is still ongoing.

According to documents from the Dover Police Department, the alleged assault occurred on the night of Sept. 26 after Busch qualified 22nd for the AAA 400 Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway.

The documents say Busch “was verbally abusive to (Driscoll) and said he wished he had a gun so that he could kill himself.”

The documents also state that Driscoll said Busch accused her of “having spies everywhere and having a camera on the bus to watch him," and that Busch proceeded to grab her face and smash her head three times against the wall next to the bed. Driscoll allegedly suffered bruising on her neck, severe pain and trouble breathing.

Busch's attorney, Rusty Hardin, released a statement following this afternoon’s news.

“Mr. Busch will fully cooperate with (Dover Police Department's) investigation and he expects to be vindicated when the entire truth of the situation comes to light.”

The attorney also mentioned Busch’s relationship with girlfriend Patricia Driscoll is over, saying, “This allegation is a complete fabrication by a woman who has refused to accept the end of a relationship and Mr. Busch vehemently denies her allegations in every respect.”

Hardin most recently represented football star Adrian Peterson when the running back pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault.

NASCAR has been made aware of the investigation.

“We recognize the seriousness of this matter and are actively gathering information from all parties, including law enforcement authorities and Stewart-Haas Racing,” said NASCAR senior vice president and chief communications officer Brett Jewkes in a statement.

The Armed Forces Foundation, which Busch and Driscoll work with, confirmed it has suspended its association with the driver.

“Given the serious nature of the allegations, the Foundation has suspended its association with Mr. Busch,” Armed Forces Foundation chairman Pat LaFrieda said in a statement.

A hearing for the case is scheduled for Dec. 2.

- With files from The Associated Press.