ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County family is making funeral arrangements for their 7-year-old daughter, who died while racing a junior dragster at the Orlando Speed World Dragway.
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Florida Highway Patrol says 7-year-old Elienisse Diaz Rodriguez lost control of her junior dragster race car, hit a safety employee and eventually slammed into a wall during a racing accident on February 2nd.
Orange County Fire Rescue records obtained by Channel 9 show first responders on the scene were called to extricate Elienisse from her vehicle, provide advanced life support, and transport her and the injured safety employee to the hospital.
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The Florida Highway Patrol says the National Hot Rod Association is investigating what went wrong, though the association has not responded to any of Channel 9′s repeated requests for comment.
In the meantime, the local racing community is coming together to support Elienisse’s family, who were prominent members of Central Florida’s racing scene.
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“I have three kids. I cannot imagine losing one of my kids at that age, so young, and they have so much ahead of them,” said Fernando Martinez, who grew up in the drag racing community.
Just one day before a fatal crash at the Orlando Speed World Dragway, Fernando Martinez says he was attending a different event with his three children and introducing them to the world he’s known since childhood.
Like many in the drag-racing community, Martinez says his passion began at a young age.
While living in Puerto Rico, he would often frequent Salinas Speedway, a large racetrack near his hometown in Puerto Rico.
He told Channel 9 that, since he was 10 years old, he had been working with his father on cars and learning to drive.
“It is a passion that you have had your entire life,” said Martinez.
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While Martinez has never competed in a drag race, he told Channel 9 he’s now sharing his childhood passion with his young children and wouldn’t oppose them getting involved with motorsports.
He said he’s seen firsthand the safety measures involved, including donning multiple layers of protective gear and the protective cages in place for drivers. He told Channel 9 that any sport carries some amount of risk.
“Nothing is safe. Not any sport. Not boxing. Not football,” said Martinez, “We can’t just put a negative stamp on drag racing.”
Amid the tragedy, he’s one of many united to support Elienisse’s grieving family.
A go-fund-me has been set up and has raised more than $32,000 to cover funeral costs.
You can find the go-fund-me linked here.
Orlando Speed World Dragway has not responded to Channel 9′s multiple requests for comment but did post a statement on their Facebook page that reads in part:
“Motorsports is built on passion, but moments like these remind us of the risks that come with what we love. 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.”
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