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.”
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.
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