Kent boy dies after dirt bike crash at Pacific Raceways

A 16-year-old Kent boy and Kentridge High School student died after he crashed his dirt bike at the Pacific Raceways' motocross track and was run over by another biker.

Susan Tostenrude adds a bouquet of flowers to a memorial honoring the late Chase Stancil at Kentridge High School on Friday evening. Family

Susan Tostenrude adds a bouquet of flowers to a memorial honoring the late Chase Stancil at Kentridge High School on Friday evening. Family

A 16-year-old Kent boy and Kentridge High student died after he crashed his dirt bike at the Pacific Raceways‘ motocross track and was run over by another biker.

Chase Stancil sped down a straightaway Wednesday night during a practice run at the Kent-area track when he went over a small bump, lost control and fell, according to Pacific Raceways officials.

“A following rider immediately impacted him,” said Jason Fiorito, Pacific Raceways president, in a statement on the track’s website. “It was an instantaneous accident and the rider sustained critical injuries. On-site medical personnel provided CPR and he was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center (in Seattle) where he succumbed from his injuries.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Stancil had participated in the practice runs each Wednesday since the spring, said Alicia Hall, vice president at the track.

“Our focus is to keep things as safe as possible,” Hall said. “It happened so fast that there was no opportunity to even put a flag out.”

The 19-year-old biker right behind Stancil had no where else to go, Hall said.

“Our entire Pacific Raceways’ staff and volunteers are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our racing community and our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” Fiorito said. “We remain committed to keeping this sport as safe as possible.”

Pacific Raceways had a moment of silence for Stancil on Friday night prior to the motocross races. A chaplain from the Washington State Patrol also will be on site to provide support to racetrack staff, racers and fans.

“We will be observing a moment of silence and providing comfort through a chaplain’s prayer to honor this young man,” Fiorito said.

Stancil didn’t compete in the Friday night races but regularly attended the Wednesday practice runs.

“He had been riding bikes for a long time,” Hall said.

Stancil, a sophomore-to-be at Kentridge, was remembered as a funny, adventurous and enthusiastic boy who loved dirt bikes, football, his family and friends.

Family, friends and supporters converged at a vigil at a school football field Friday evening to pay tribute to the boy.

 


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

File Photo, Sound Publishing
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire offers town hall about wildfires

Residents can learn how to prepare for fast-moving wildfires near homes during May 14 event

Chase Jones and his attorney Brad Barshis reading Jones’ statement to the judge. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/Sound Publishing
Man who killed four in Renton crash sentenced to over 17 years in prison

The prosecutor reported that he was traveling at 112 miles per hour when he crashed into the victims.

t
Three Kent men honored by state during fallen worker ceremony

One died falling from Seattle bridge; two others were fatally shot

City of Kent Corrections Facility, 1230 Central Ave. S. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Medical examiner identifies woman found dead in city of Kent jail

Cause and manner of death are pending for 45-year-old woman

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Large Kent Police response finds no weapon threats on Central Avenue

About a dozen police vehicles arrived in 700 block of Central Ave. S. Thursday, April 24

U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, USDOJ
Kent man pleads guilty to federal drug trafficking charges

Part of international drug ring that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine

Kent School Board members Tim Clark and Meghin Margel. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent School Board recall group files for reconsideration

Petitioners take next step after judge dismissed petitions to recall Meghin Margel, Tim Clark

t
Future female firefighters learn key skills at workshop

32 women participate in firefighting, emergency medical services training

t
Kent pedestrian killed in April 21 crash identified

Vicente Islas Gomez, 50, died of multiple blunt force injuries along Central Avenue South

Courtesy File Photo, WSDOT
Section of State Route 167 in Kent to be fully closed night of April 24

From 10 p.m. Thursday, April 24 to 4 a.m. Friday, April 25 between S. 180th Street and S. 212th Street

t
Kent man wanted in DV incident reportedly ‘has left the area’

Avon Cobb still on the run; flashbang device might have caused fire at Auburn business where he fled

Courtesy Photo, Comcast
Some Comcast, Xfinity Business customers lose service in Kent

Vandals damage cable line; service expected to be restored by 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 22