Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park, where 9-year-old girl died in tragic accident, closes over lawsuit

A California motorcross park where a 9-year-old girl died in June is closing its doors due to legal issues, the park recently announced.

Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park is about 73 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Calling itself the largest track in Southern California, the park said on its Facebook page that it has seven tracks for riders to choose from.

The park announced the closure Saturday and said the decision was made “due to a lawsuit from a tragic accident that occurred in June.” The property owner made the decision, the park said.

The closure comes after 9-year-old Brooke Carlton was killed at the park in early June. She was riding an electric motorbike on a "track designated for off-road vehicles" around 10 a.m. that day when "another juvenile also riding an off-road motorbike" hit her, the Riverside County Sheriff previously shared in a news release.

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

The other juvenile involved was treated for minor injuries at the scene of the accident.

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 requests for updates Tuesday morning.

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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 sad” about the girl’s death.

“This was such a freak accident as the parent said,” the park wrote at the time. “This is not a time to bash the track but a time to remember this little girl and support her family. We are a community, and we will do our part in supporting the family as well.”

The park also said it would organize a tribute ride in honor of the girl.

Remembering Brooke Carlton

Carlton was an ambassador for Go Fast Girls, a clothing brand for female racers, according to the company. “I just started racing motocross in the Southern California area and I am gearing up to race BMX too,” she is quoted as saying on the brand’s site. “I love to be out on the track competing with other girls and going fast!”

When Carlton died, the brand shared a GoFundMe link a family friend 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 of GoFastGirls.”

Ally Giles, who started the GoFundMe on behalf of the Carlton family, shared that the girl was kind and brightened the day of anyone who came across her. She had a “warm smile” and a “bright blonde halo of curls,” Giles wrote in the fundraiser’s description. She loved her parents, her dog Gunner and her brother, Landon, she added.

She also shared a note from the girl’s family.

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

Track has faced noise complaints, scrutiny

The brand made a blog post Tuesday once word got out that the park was closing. In the post, Go Fast Girls shared that the park, “a beloved destination for motocross riders across Southern California,” faces the same issues many other motocross tracks face.

Some issues the company cited are residential development, noise complaints, and safety concerns such as Carlton’s death. 

Calling Carlton’s death “a tragic accident,” Go Fast Girls said the park has been scrutinized and is facing “legal pressures that ultimately made continued operations too risky.”

According to the brand, the closure of the park has started a discussion surrounding how those in the motorsport community can still enjoy the tracks they love while also being safe and respectful of the communities they exist within.

Go Fast Girls said that because there are more homes being built nearby, Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park has received lots of noise complaints, despite the fact that the park was there long before the homes were built.

“Urban expansion often clashes with outdoor recreational spaces, especially those hosting high-impact activities like motocross,” the brand shared. “For motocross enthusiasts, this closure has been particularly frustrating because it represents a shrinking number of safe, legal venues where riders can hone their skills and build community.”

Clothing brand pushes motorcross parks to work with communities

Go Fast Girls also said motorcross facilities have to abide by “rigorous safety standards” and that’s why it’s important for community members to advocate for said standards. Examples of safety protocols put into place at these tracks include safety signage, mandatory gear, controlled riding conditions, and plans in place for emergencies. 

The company shared thoughts on how the motorcross community can learn from Carlton’s passing and make changes. Some suggestions the brand has are motorsport-specific zoning, advanced soundproofing technology, restricted operational hours, or agreements between community members and the park surrounding track operations.

The brand said it’s vital to advocate for tracks but also to respect nearby residents.

“Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park’s closure is a loss, but it also underscores the importance of working together as a community to ensure the longevity of motorsport facilities,” the brand wrote. ”If we are to protect these spaces for the next generation, we must advocate for safety, community engagement, and accountability.”

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 email her at[email protected].