PORT ST. LUCIE – Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is proposing a $300,000 settlement in connection with the death of a 6-year-old girl who was killed in an indoor go-kart accident at Urban Air Adventure Park, 9020 U.S. 1, Port St. Lucie in December, according to a document released by the state agency.
The settlement in the case of Emma Riddle was proposed after an investigation of the accident which found multiple safety violations regarding a go-kart that the girl was operating at the time of the accident.
At about 8:40 p.m., Dec. 6, the girl was operating the double-seat electric kart when she collided with a track barrier at the start of the race, according to the state report. St. Lucie County Fire District EMS personnel found the girl to be suffering from a bloody nose and bruising to the upper lip, according to the state report.
The girl was airlifted to HCA Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce for treatment and died the following day, according to Port St. Lucie Police.
A medical examiner’s report identifies the cause of death to be blunt force injuries to the torso, according to the state report.
The girl’s mother, who was riding in the passenger seat of the kart at the time of the accident, was not injured.
The state report found several violations in the accident, including allowing the girl who was underage to pilot the kart, which was found to be good condition, as was the track.
The girl also had to be at least 60 tall to operate the kart and measured to be 49 inches tall, according to the state report. She also was not wearing a required seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the state report. The kart also was traveling at a speed of 10.8 miles per hour, when it should have been going a maximum of 10 mph, according to the state report.
As a result, the state agency submitted an administrative complaint against the park’s operator, NIFE Holdings, LLC, and proposed the $300,000 settlement.
The administrative complaint also says that the state could pursue more penalties, such as fines, possible suspension or revocation of ride permits, if the case is not resolved through settlement.