Police Clear Andretti of Damaging Gate

Bethlehem police have cleared IndyCar driver Marco Andretti of any wrongdoing after reviewing video footage of vandalism that

As Andretti had explained to The Express Times, a man in the car behind his got out and broke the gate Thursday night as he attempted to get the automated payment system to work and lifted the gate arm, according to a police news release.

Also, according to police, a man telephoned the Bethlehem Parking Authority Friday morning and claimed responsibility and offered to pay for the damage.

“Based on the investigation, the City of Bethlehem Police Department will not take any action against Mr. Andretti,” the police news release said.

Andretti, of and grandson of legendary race-car driver Mario Andretti, was named as a suspect in the city police media release on Friday morning. The later release said that was based on an eyewitness who gave police the license plate number of Andretti’s car.

But a “thorough review” of the video surveillance of the exit gate area corroborates the story Andretti told the newspaper, according to police. Two vehicles were waiting in line at the gate, but didn’t move “after payment transactions are attempted.”

Then, a male exited Andretti’s car and tried to lift the gate unsuccessfully, police said.

Another man got out of the car behind Andretti’s and broke it “by forcing it from its connection to the motor housing,” police said.