A seven-year-old girl making her “first runs” in a junior drag-racing car has died as the result of an on-track accident.
Elienisse Diaz Rodriguez died last weekend from injuries suffered during a crash that took place during Orlando Speed World Dragway in Florida.
Elienisse, a first-grader at Eastland Christian School in Orlando who had just celebrated her seventh birthday, was “making her first runs in a junior dragster” when the crash happened, according to Dragzine.com.
A GoFundMe set up to help the family pay for funeral costs said that Elienisse “fulfilled her dream of driving her junior dragster.”
The accident occurred on Feb. 2 and Elienisse died two days later on the night of Feb. 4.
“On behalf of Elienisse Zoe Díaz Rodriguez’s family, we created this GoFundMe to commemorate the life of our beautiful princess. All funds collected will be used directly to cover funeral costs and celebrate her life. In these difficult times, all kinds of contributions will be welcomed,” the page reads.
“We appreciate any help.”
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) established a junior racing league in 1992, with the website saying it gives “ages 5-17 the opportunity to experience the thrill of racing half-scale dragsters in a controlled racing environment.”
It also states that “the cars that Jr. Drag Racing League competitors race are called Jr. Dragsters and are half-scale versions of Top Fuel dragsters.”
Junior dragsters can reach speeds of up to 137 km/h.
The girl’s death also was confirmed on the official Facebook page for Orlando Speed World, which posted a tribute to Elienisse.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Elienisse’s family, and all those affected, including our racing community. Motorsports is built on passion, but moments like these remind us of the risks that come with what we love,” Orlando Speed World Dragway said in a statement.
“While injuries can heal, the pain of loss is immeasurable. We stand together in support, mourning, and prayer during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to those grieving and will continue to uplift them in our thoughts.”
In a message to parents by school administrators as reported by the Independent, Elienisse was remembered as a “bright light in our school community.”
The message also read: “Her beautiful smile will be deeply missed by all of us.”
As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised almost US$28,000 of its $30Gs goal.
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