I remember this wreck, while not a CART or IRL fan it occurred during a time when many NASCAR drivers were getting killed on the track. (Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, Dale Earnhardt, etc) As Indy and F1 style cars are basically a jet engine with a fiberglass frame it was no surprise something like this happened.
I agree. No space for protection in the car. Open cockpit leaving drivers head exposed. The F1 Halo helps head protection, but still a dangerously light car design.