Cevert was pronounced dead at the scene by the trackside medical unit. Under New York state law, the body was transported to the Schuyler County Coroner’s office in Montour Falls. However, because Cevert was a French citizen, French consular authorities invoked international protocol. The official legal investigation (enquête judiciaire) was opened by the French Ministry of Justice, with New York authorities acting as local agents.
Additionally, Watkins Glen International's Turn 6 was notorious for its high-speed cornering and limited run-off areas, which made it a challenging section of the track for drivers. The investigation concluded that Cevert had likely pushed his car too hard, resulting in a loss of traction and subsequent crash. francois cevert autopsy report
: The barrier uprooted and lifted upon impact, inflicting fatal injuries that effectively cut his body in half between the neck and hip. Led to immediate death : Marshals on the scene in Cevert was pronounced dead at the scene by