Parents of Motocross Star File Lawsuit, Alleging Preventable Tragedy
When you’re deeply embedded in the world of motocross, you understand the inherent risks. Every rider knows that twisting the throttle comes with a certain level of danger. But there’s a line between acceptable risk and negligence, and the heartbreaking loss of 16-year-old rising star Aidan Zingg has pushed his family to seek justice.
Aidan’s parents, Robert and Shari Zingg, have officially filed a wrongful death and survival lawsuit in the Superior Court of California in Riverside County. Their claim is heavy but clear: Aidan’s death during a race at Mammoth Lakes, California, on June 28 wasn’t just a tragic accident; it was preventable.
They are taking action against the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and other entities involved, arguing that careless race operations and defective safety gear played a critical role in the loss of their son.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Aidan, a standout talent in Kawasaki’s prestigious Green Team program, was competing in the 250B class race. He went down after rounding Turn 9, a spot on the track furthest from the start line and most spectators.
The lawsuit alleges that after the initial crash, Aidan was conscious. He was alert. He was trying to get back on his feet. But the race didn’t stop. The complaint states that race operators failed to raise caution flags or issue warnings to other riders.
The most chilling detail? The suit claims Turn 9 was left completely unmanned by flaggers—the safety personnel responsible for signaling danger to oncoming racers. The complaint describes the decision to leave that specific high-risk corner unmonitored as “particularly reckless.”
Without those warning flags, the race continued for roughly three more laps. Aidan’s father, realizing his son hadn’t come back around, rushed to the back of the track only to find him down. Despite the frantic efforts of those who swarmed to help, Aidan was pronounced dead later that day at Mammoth Hospital.
Questions Surrounding Safety Gear and Protocol
The lawsuit doesn’t just point fingers at the race operations. It also raises serious questions about the equipment meant to keep riders safe. The complaint notes that Aidan’s jersey and gear showed visible signs of impact from at least one other rider. Specifically, it alleges that the chest protector he was wearing, manufactured by Fox Racing (Revelyst Adventure Sports), was punctured during the collision.
The defendants named in the suit encompass the entire event ecosystem: the AMA, 2XP LLC (the promoter), Alterra Mountain Company (owners of Mammoth Mountain), and the equipment manufacturer.
Myron Short, owner of 2XP, responded to inquiries stating that there were “45 flagger workers on the track at the time and a flagger 18 feet away.” However, the lawsuit paints a different picture of a “crowded field” of 29 riders navigating a dangerous track design with insufficient oversight at a critical moment.
The Broader Context of Motocross Safety
This tragedy forces us to look at a difficult reality in the sport we love. Aidan is one of at least 158 young riders who have lost their lives on dirt bikes and tracks since 2000. It’s a statistic that makes motocross the deadliest sport for youth, statistically more dangerous than tackle football.
The AMA has stated that it has longstanding safety protocols, but it notes that it can’t control unaffiliated tracks. However, the Zinggs’ lawsuit argues that a high-ranking AMA official was present and had the authority to ensure safety standards were met at this specific, AMA-sanctioned event.
Aidan’s family isn’t just looking for a payout. As their attorney, Kevin Biniazan, put it, they are seeking “transparency and accountability.” They hope that by forcing these organizations to look in the mirror, they might spur changes in race operations and equipment safety that save another family from enduring this same nightmare.
For the motocross community, this is a wake-up call. We love the speed, the jumps, and the competition. But we also need to know that when our kids line up at the gate, the people running the show have done everything in their power to make sure they come home.
