Parker Mitchell was airlifted to a Rochester hospital after family members and firefighters freed him from the water, authorities said.
DARIEN, N.Y. — An 11-year-old boy died after a go-kart he was driving overturned into a pond in western New York with an 8-year-old passenger aboard, prompting relatives and firefighters to free him before he was flown to a Rochester hospital, authorities said.
The Sept. 6 crash happened on Fargo Road in the Genesee County town of Darien shortly after 2:30 p.m., according to information released by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. The boy, later identified by family and local news reports as Parker Mitchell of Greece, was pronounced dead after arriving at Strong Memorial Hospital. The younger passenger was treated by medical personnel at the scene and released.
Deputies were sent to the property at about 2:32 p.m. for a report that a go-kart carrying two children had rolled into a pond. Chief Deputy Hale told Video News Service that Parker became trapped after the vehicle entered the water. Family members and firefighters were able to free him, and responding deputies began CPR before he was transported by Mercy Flight.
The Sheriff’s Office initially released the ages of the children but did not publicly identify them. Parker’s identity was later confirmed through his family obituary and regional news coverage. Authorities have not released a final explanation for why the go-kart overturned or said whether speed, terrain, a mechanical problem or another factor contributed to the crash. The investigation remained open in the latest public law enforcement information reviewed.
Parker, who was born Feb. 28, 2015, lived in the Rochester area and was preparing to begin middle school, according to his obituary and local reports. His family described him as an energetic child who loved sports, music and being outdoors. He played football with the Greece Chargers and baseball through Greece Little League and was also an enthusiastic Buffalo Bills fan.
His obituary described Parker as smart, kind and caring, noting that he had a strong ability to make other people feel welcome. He collected sports cards and enjoyed sharing them, played the trumpet and spent time camping and exploring outdoors with his family. Relatives also remembered him as a devoted older brother and someone who enjoyed spending time with his family’s dogs.
The Greece community began honoring Parker in the days after the crash. Jason Klotz, a friend of the Mitchell family, told WIVB that he wanted people to remember Parker for the way he lived and cared for others rather than only for the circumstances of his death. Friends also organized financial support for the family as teammates, coaches and local residents shared memories of the 11-year-old.
Local reporting said Parker was a strong student and an accomplished young athlete. Friends recalled his ability on the baseball field and described him as outgoing and affectionate. His obituary said sports were a major part of his life, particularly football and baseball, while music, outdoor activities, video games and time with family filled much of the rest of his free time.
Funeral arrangements published by New Comer Cremations & Funerals scheduled visitation periods for Sept. 14 and Sept. 16 in Rochester. A celebration of Parker’s life will be held at a later date, according to the obituary. His family requested that memorial contributions be directed to the Greece Chargers and Greece Little League, two organizations that were important parts of his childhood.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly announced a cause for the rollover or additional findings from its investigation. Investigator Jordan Alejandro was identified by local authorities as handling the case. The surviving child was treated and released at the scene, and no additional injuries were reported in the official information available.
Author note: Last updated September 14, 2026.