Baylee Johnson, a 24-year-old medical assistant at Prisma Health OB/GYN in Sumter, died eight days after her hair became entangled in the sprocket of a go-kart on a private backyard track, according to her family. Johnson was 15 weeks pregnant with a baby boy she and her boyfriend had already named Johnny, and both mother and unborn child ultimately died from the injuries she sustained.
The accident happened on August 23 at a friend's house, where a hobby track had recently been installed. As Johnson came to a stop, her long dark hair slipped out from under her helmet and wrapped around the go-kart's sprocket. The available account does not establish Johnson's racing history.
Johnson's father and a friend cut her hair to free her from the machine and performed CPR at the scene, according to the same Facebook account, successfully restoring her heartbeat before paramedics arrived. She was rushed to McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, South Carolina, where she remained on life support for eight days. Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker confirmed to WENG Radio that the incident happened on a track in Sumter and caused severe trauma before Johnson died on August 31.
A Private Track and Safety Questions
The location of the accident matters beyond the immediate tragedy. South Carolina has an amusement-rides safety code for commercial operations. The available account describes Johnson's accident as occurring on a private backyard track; it does not establish what state oversight, if any, applied there.
Past go-kart recalls and safety warnings underscore the importance of protecting exposed axles and securing loose hair.
A Documented, Ongoing Hazard
Go-kart crashes can cause serious craniofacial injuries. Go-kart injuries can result in hospital stays and surgical treatment, including among children.
Remembering Baylee and Baby Johnny
According to WIS via Gray News, Johnson's obituary described her as caring, funny, silly, spontaneous and carefree. Her visitation was held Friday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home in Sumter, and a celebration of life honoring both Baylee and Johnny is scheduled for Saturday at Northside Baptist Church in Sumter, with burial to follow at Zoar Community Cemetery, according to The Sumter Item.
Musician Riley Green reportedly sent Johnson a message after she was first taken to the hospital, though details of that exchange were not further specified. Her family has asked that memorial donations be made in honor of Baylee and Johnny through the McLeod Health Foundation rather than sent as flowers or gifts.
