Longview, WA : Portland 11-year-old injured in go-kart crash near Rainier on Tuesday, August 8, 2017

An 11-year-old Portland boy was injured Monday when his go-kart smacked into a tree while it was under tow by a pickup near Rainier, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to an area near Nicolai Cutoff Road and Wilbur Road shortly before 9 p.m. after a 911 caller reported the crash.

Brandon McKay, later identified as the driver of the pickup, called 911 and said the go-kart had crashed into a tree and gone down a small embankment, according to a sheriff’s press release.

The boy was taken by Lifeflight helicopter to Emanuel Hospital in Portland. He remained in intensive care Tuesday morning, the sheriff’s office said.

McKay, 22, of Rainier, told investigators he had gone to the intersection of Nicolai Cutoff Road and Wilbur Road to tell his nephews it was time to come home. According to the press release, McKay said the boy asked him to tow the go-kart. So McCay said he tied a long rope from his pickup’s rear bumper to the front end of the go-kart. The boy, who was reportedly wearing a harness and a helmet, said he would steer the go-kart.

McKay told deputies he checked to see if the boy was able to steer the go-kart then began towing them at speeds between 15-20 mph. He said he looked back periodically to check on the boy.

Soon though, McKay said the cart started veering off to the right side of the road towards the shoulder and a tree just beyond the roadway. McKay said he braked and stalled the truck, but the go-kart hit the tree, went down an embankment and tipped onto its side.

McKay rushed to the boy’s aid then called 911, the sheriff’s office said. McKay identified the injured boy as his nephew, who was visiting his grandparents in the Rainier area at the time of the crash. The boy lives with parents in Portland.

McKay voluntarily submitted to alcohol and drug testing, and preliminary results showed no signs of intoxication, according to the press release. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Source :
Portland 11-year-old injured in go-kart crash near Rainier