Go Kart Victim's Father Breaks His Silence
CORINTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Todd Eaddy vividly remembers the first time his daughter, Kierstin, got the behind the wheel of a go kart.
She was just 7 years old when her fascination for go karts began.
At 14, Kierstin Eaddy, was an experienced driver who dreamed of becoming an engineer and one day designing her own car.
Sunday, her family was watching during a solo timed event, when Kierstin's go kart malfunctioned, sending her into a low cable barrier after the race.
Todd Eaddy said his family was able to say goodbye, when she died a short time later.
"It was tragic," he said. "But you know, remember too, that it was her passion and she loved doing it."
Eaddy said his daughter's death was an tragic accident. He said though he won't be as involved in racing, he still loves the sport.
Kierstin also had a passion for track and Girl Scouts.
But her passion reached another level, her father said, when it came to helping others.
"Kierstin really did it without question. It was just who she was."
Kierstin was a straight A student, despite having dyslexia, and attended the Shelton School, which helps children with learning differences.
She often helped her classmates.
Others could often also find her helping children at Spirit Horse Therapeutic Center, which helps children with physical disabilities.
In hopes of keeping the passion alive for helping others, her family has started a fund where proceeds will benefit the Shelton School and SpiritHorse Therapeutic Center.
"Knowing that Kierstin is passionate about those things – my goodness — if I can have a legacy that keeps my daughter alive in those places, I'm pretty proud of that," said her father.
The Shelton School wants to create a memorial for Kierstin Eaddy.
Todd Eaddy said what brings him solace is knowing his daughter's legacy will live on.
"It's, however, very comforting, to be able to share a story of a very short life that affected a whole lot of people," he said.
Kierstin Eaddy will be laid to rest in a private memorial Saturday.
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Latest News:
Top Trending:
