Texas Teen Dies in Go-Kart Crash

A teenage girl died Sunday in a go-kart crash at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas.  She has been identified as 14-year-old Kierstin Eaddy of Flower Mound.

About the Fatal Go-Kart Crash

Authorities say Eaddy was racing in a solo Sports Car Club of America autocross event when the crash occurred.  Police say it’s unclear if the girl lost control for medical or mechanical reasons.

No cause of death was immediately listed for the teen.

Witnesses say the victim accelerated as she passed the finish line and hit a cable.  According to the Daily Mail, it has also been reported she smashed into a low fence, which ripped off her helmet and brought her kart to a stop in a field next to the track.

She was airlifted to Harris Methodist hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

According to her father, she had been racing since age 7 and was a member of North Texas Karting and the Dallas Karting Complex.  She was a two-time regional champion and was wearing her helmet, neck brace, gloves, and racing suit at the time of the accident.

Go-Kart Injury Statistics

The following facts were taken from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• More than 10,000 go-kart injuries to children 15 and younger occur each year.
• Injuries resulted from collisions with stationary objects, moving vehicles, or losing control of the go-kart and rolling over.
• Injuries included lacerations, contusions, fractures, amputations, scalping, head trauma, and death.