Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park closes after lawsuit and accidental death

A California motocross park where a 9-year-old girl died in June is closing its doors for legal reasons, the park recently announced.

Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park is located approximately 73 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The park calls itself the largest track in Southern California and stated on its Facebook page that there are seven tracks riders can choose from.

The park announced the closure Saturday, saying the decision was made “in response to a lawsuit stemming from a tragic accident in June.” The park said the property owner made the decision.

The closure came after nine-year-old Brooke Carlton was killed in the park in early June. She was riding an electric motorcycle on a “route designated for off-road vehicles” around 10 a.m. that day when “another juvenile who was also riding an off-road motorcycle” struck her, the Riverside County sheriff previously said in a news release.

Officers rushed to the scene and found the girl unconscious while people in the area performed “life-saving measures” on her. According to the sheriff's office, she was taken to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The other teenager involved was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The sheriff's office said at the time that an investigation into the accident was ongoing. The sheriff's office did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's requests for updates Tuesday morning.

The girl's death was a “freak accident,” Park said

In a post on the park's now-deleted Instagram page, the park said it was “truly saddened” by the girl's death.

“This was as terrible an accident as the parents said,” the park wrote at the time. “This is not a time to denigrate the track, but a time to remember this little girl and support her family. We are a community and will also do our part to support the family.”

The park also announced it would organize a tribute ride in the girl's honor.

Remembering Brooke Carlton

According to the company, Carlton was an ambassador for Go Fast Girls, a clothing brand for female racers. “I just started riding motocross in the Southern California area and I'm getting ready to ride BMX as well,” she is quoted as saying on the brand's website. “I love being on the track, competing with other girls and being fast!”

When Carlton died, the brand shared a GoFundMe link that a family friend had created to raise money for her family.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Carlton family during this incredibly difficult time,” Go Fast Girls wrote on June 5. “Brooke was a true embodiment of the passion and determination that defines our community and we are proud to have her as an ambassador for GoFastGirls.”

Ally Giles, who started a GoFundMe on behalf of the Carlton family, said the girl was friendly and made the day of everyone she met. She had a “warm smile” and a “set of bright blonde curls,” Giles wrote in the fundraiser description. She loved her parents, her dog Gunner and her brother Landon, she added.

She also shared a message from the girl's family.

“Yesterday the good Lord called our dear Brooke Lily to heaven after a horrific accident at a local motocross track,” the family wrote. “Hold your loved ones a little tighter for us as we try to navigate this sudden hurdle in our lives. We love you always and forever, Brooke Lily.”

Track faced noise complaints and scrutiny

The brand published a blog post on Tuesday when it was announced that the park would be closing. In the post, Go Fast Girls shared that the park, “a popular destination for motocross riders throughout Southern California,” is facing the same issues as many other motocross tracks.

Issues cited by the company include residential development, noise complaints and safety concerns such as Carlton's death.

Go Fast Girls called Carlton's death “a tragic accident” and said the park had come under scrutiny and faced “legal pressures that ultimately made it too risky to continue operating.”

According to the brand, the park's closure has sparked a discussion about how members of the motorsports community can continue to enjoy the tracks they love while remaining safe and respectful of the communities in which they live.

Go Fast Girls said Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park has received many noise complaints because more homes are being built nearby, even though the park existed long before the homes were built.

“Urban expansion often clashes with outdoor recreation spaces, particularly those that host high-impact activities such as motocross,” the brand said. “For motocross enthusiasts, this closure has been particularly frustrating as there are fewer and fewer safe, legal venues where riders can hone their skills and build community.”

Clothing brand urges motocross parks to collaborate with communities

Go Fast Girls also said that motocross facilities must adhere to “strict safety standards” and therefore it is important that community members advocate for those standards. Examples of safety protocols implemented on these routes include safety signage, mandatory equipment, controlled driving conditions and emergency plans.

The company expressed thoughts on how the motocross community can learn from Carlton's death and make changes. Some of the brand's suggestions include motorsport-specific zoning, advanced soundproofing technology, limited operating hours or agreements between community members and the park surrounding track operations.

The brand said it was important to stand up for tracks but also respect local residents.

“The closure of Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park is a loss, but also highlights the importance of working together as a community to ensure the longevity of motorsports facilities,” the brand wrote. “If we want to protect these spaces for the next generation, we must commit to security, social engagement and responsibility.”

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or send her an email at [email protected].

The girl's death was a “freak accident,” Park said

Remembering Brooke Carlton

Track faced noise complaints and scrutiny

Clothing brand urges motocross parks to collaborate with communities

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