(RacingWire) – Up and coming 18-year-old Spec Racer Ford driver Dakota Donovan was killed Wedsday after being wounded by an accidental gunshot.

According to the Associted Press, police say Donovan was among a group of friends who were playing with a gun in a Plantation, Fla. home when the gun fired, hitting Donovan.

A 17-year-old friend of Donovan is charged with Manslaughter in the shooting.

Donovan competed in his first SCCA National Championship Runoffs this year at Road America. He qualified third and was running in the top five when his motor expired late in the race.

“It’s always sad to hear about the passing of a member, but especially so when it’s a member who is as young as Dakota,” Jeff Dahnert, SCCA President/CEO, said in as statement on the club's website. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Donovan family as they go through this difficult time.”