Friday, June 27, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
CORRECTION (6/28/03): A story in Friday's Review-Journal on an accident that killed a 5-year-old boy incorrectly stated the reason the Las Vegas Motor Speedway closed a motocross track. The track is closed until Tuesday because there are no events scheduled.
LV boy, 5, dies
of injuries from motocross crash
Pee Wee track at speedway closed for review of safety guidelines
By K.C. HOWARD
REVIEW-JOURNAL
A 5-year-old Las Vegas boy died Wednesday as a result of a motorcycle crash on the Pee Wee motocross track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, police said.
The boy, Tyler David Santos, had ridden motorcycles since the age of 3, according to Las Vegas police Det. Oscar Chavez, who is investigating the crash.
"This is just one of those accidents that for an unknown reason occurs and ultimately resulted in tragedy," Chavez said.
Tyler overshot a turn on the track Tuesday night and rode his small bike, with a 50 cubic-centimeter engine, over a dirt barrier, police said. He then fell down a steep embankment dotted with rocks, Chavez said.
His father ran after the boy and found him unconscious, Chavez said. The boy soon regained consciousness and complained to medical technicians on site of chest pains, he said.
He was taken to University Medical Center, where he died at 8:18 a.m. Wednesday. The Clark County coroner's office ruled the death was the result of blunt force trauma from the crash.
"The father went to a great extent to ensure his son was well-protected should he fall," Chavez said.
He noted Tyler wore a protective helmet, neck brace, chest and elbow pads, protective pants, boots, and goggles.
"After going to that extent and this tragic event still occurring is, I think, one of the hardest things that the family will incur," Chavez said.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway spokesman Jeff Motley said Tuesday night's racing event was being operated by Club MX, which has an agreement to use the track. Club MX officials did not return phone calls Thursday seeking comment.
According to the club's Web site, it offers racing groups for children as young as 4 and requires parents to sign a liability waiver.
Rob Gladden, program manager of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation DirtBike School, said 4- and 5-year-olds could be too young to ride. The school, which teaches motorcycle safety 15 miles north of Las Vegas, begins instruction at age 6.
Every child is different, he said, but younger children often have trouble knowing their limits.
"When the curriculum was being developed it was determined at (6 years old) the average child can comprehend risk management," Gladden said.
Motley said the motocross track will be closed the rest of the week while officials review safety guidelines, including age limits.
"We always want to make sure its a safe racing environment," Motley said.
Review-Journal writer Jeff Wolf contributed to this report.
