Go-cart was ‘flying’ in Meriden crash that killed boy, 6, at park, witness says

— A go-cart was “flying” before it crashed into a gate at Kronenberger Park, killing a child who was riding the machine on Tuesday night, according to a witness at the scene.

Meriden police Lt. Darrin McKay said the preliminary investigation determined the gocart was occupied by two boys, ages 6 and 4.

“While driving in the parking lot of Kronenberger Park, the go-kart collided with and rode under a closed swing gate intended to prevent vehicles from driving onto the athletic fields,” McKay said.

McKay said the 6-year-old boy was wearing a helmet, “but sustained a traumatic injury.”

He was taken to Midstate Medical Center where he died, McKay said. Police originally had said the boy was 5 years old, but McKay clarified Tuesday that the child who died was 6.

McKay said the 4-year-old had “no major injuries,” but was taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center for evaluation.

McKay said family members were at the scene and were cooperating with the investigation.

He did not say whether any family members could face charges in connection with the incident.

The crash occurred while a team of children from the Meriden Soccer Club were practicing in the park, a witness said.

The team could hear the roar of the go-cart sometime after 7:30 p.m. just as practice was wrapping up on a nearby field, when suddenly the machine came “flying” into the park toward a metal access gate, appearing not to slow down, the witness said.

The go-cart plowed into the metal gate and kept going for a distance, the witness said. It became apparent that the child was seriously injured in the crash, with adults from the soccer club tending to the boy and calling for help, the witness said.

Meriden resident Deb Ortiz was at the park with her 9-year-old son who is part of the Meriden Soccer League.

She left the park at approximately 6:15 p.m. and witnessed the child driving the go-cart with two individuals who were also on mopeds.

“I didn’t see anyone driving unsafely, but (Tuesday) there was probably a higher traffic area because lots of teams were starting back up with the soccer season,” she said.

Wednesday morning she had a conversation with her son regarding the incident.

“He made a comment about how cool the go-cart was, and I had to sit him down explain what happened,” she said.