State alleges multiple violations against Urban Air facility after 6-year-old girl killed in go-kart crash
Emma Riddle died from blunt force injuries, officials said.
A 6-year-old girl who died in a go-kart crash at an indoor adventure park in Florida last year while behind the wheel was not old or tall enough to drive the double-seat kart, according to a state investigation that alleges multiple violations by the facility in connection with the incident.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has proposed a $300,000 settlement agreement with the operator of the Urban Air Adventure Park in Port St. Lucie following a monthslong investigation into the crash.
The crash occurred around 8:40 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2025. The girl was "operating a double-seat kart when she collided with the track barrier at the start of the race," the recently released report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stated. Neither she nor her mother, who was in the passenger seat, were wearing seat belts at the time, according to the report.
The girl, Emma Riddle, was transported to a hospital, where she died later that night, officials said. The medical examiner found the cause of death to be blunt force injuries to the torso, and police classified her death as accidental, according to the state report.
State investigators determined that the child was operating the go-kart at the time, saying she was not tall or old enough to drive the double-seat kart. The manufacturer requires that drivers of the double-seat go-kart be at least 18 years old and 60 inches tall, according to the report. Emma was 49 inches, it noted.
Investigators said that the signage at the track did not list age requirements for the double-seat go-kart, according to the report. They also found that the child met the posted rider restrictions for height, though they said those restrictions were "contradictory to the manufacturer's requirements," the report stated.
The ride operator also did not "effectively brief the mother regarding proper go-kart operation," the report stated.
Video footage showed that the ride operator failed to verify that the girl and her mother were properly restrained once in the go-kart, according to the report.
"Without the seat belt restraint, the minor patron was able to sit closer to the steering wheel than if she was properly restrained," the report stated.
The facility is further accused of not enforcing policies restricting the use of electronic devices and cellphones on the track, as the child's mother used her phone to take a video during the ride, according to the report.
The go-kart and track were "in good condition and functioned as designed," the report found.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services alleges that the park operator -- NIFE Holdings, LLC, of Missouri, Texas, doing business as Urban Air Adventure Park Port St. Lucie -- violated multiple Florida statutes for failing to follow the age and height requirements for the ride, check seat belts and "enforce all rules for safe operation," according to a six-count administrative complaint.
The state department has proposed a $300,000 settlement agreement with the park operator over the alleged violations. The company can request a hearing or settle, according to the complaint.
ABC News was unable to reach the owner of the facility for comment.
Urban Air did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
An Urban Air spokesperson said in a statement following the incident that it is working with state and local authorities in the investigation.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic incident that occurred at the Port St. Lucie, Florida park over the weekend. Our deepest sympathies go out to the child's family and loved ones," the spokesperson said. "Our policies, procedures and equipment are designed to keep children and families safe, and the well-being of the children and families we serve is always our top priority."
Following the release of the state's investigation, attorneys representing Emma's family, John Morgan and Thomas Hasty, said the "penalty imposed by the state of Florida underscores what we have always believed -- Emma's death was a preventable tragedy allegedly caused by Urban Air's blatant negligence and safety failures."