A 7-year-old girl died Tuesday night after a racing accident at the Orlando Speed World Dragway days earlier, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
Elienisse Zoe Díaz Rodriguez passed away after she was taken Sunday to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, according to a spokesperson for FHP.
A GoFundMe set up on behalf of her family to cover funeral costs had raised over $24,500 of its $30,000 goal as of Thursday night.
“She fulfilled her dream of driving her Junior Dragster. After fighting for her life for 2 days, the doctors confirmed her brain death,” the page said. “We created this go fund me to commemorate the life of our beautiful princess.”
FHP said Díaz Rodriguez was racing around 11 a.m. Sunday when she lost control of her Junior Dragster racecar. She struck a 34-year-old Speed World employee before hitting a concrete wall. FHP said the employee was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
A vigil took place Tuesday night for Elienisse outside her hospital, according to a Facebook post. Another post said a car meet will take place in her honor at 9 p.m. Saturday at 1400 E. Vine St. in Kissimmee.
Orlando Speed World Dragway put its own statement on Facebook.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Elienisse’s family, and all those affected, including our racing community,” it said. “Motorsports is built on passion, but moments like these remind us of the risks that come with what we love.”
She was a first-grade student at Eastland Christian School in Orlando, which encouraged prayers for her family on its Facebook page.
“She was a bright light in our school community, and we are thankful for the time we had with her,” the post said. “Her beautiful smile will be deeply missed by all of us.”
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