Death of Massachusetts 14-year-old following dirt bike crash has led to charge by family and State Rep. so other families don’t endure the same fate

A Massachusetts family with the help of a State Rep. is leading a charge so other families don’t have to endure their same pain.

Colby Andrew Lippincott, a 14-year-old honors student from East Sandwich, Massachusetts, tragically died on June 15, 2024, following a dirt bike accident at the Diamond MX Motocross track in Wareham.

The accident occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. when Colby suffered life-threatening injuries during a ride after hitting a tree. Emergency responders transported him to Tobey Hospital in Wareham, where he was pronounced dead.

This tragedy has led to action.

Colby’s Law is a proposed Massachusetts bill (H.2740) filed in January 2025 by State Representative Steven Xiarhos (R-5th Barnstable District) and co-sponsored by State Senator Dylan Fernandes, that aims at standardizing safety regulations for recreational motocross tracks statewide to prevent similar tragedies.

Named in tribute to Colby, the legislation addresses the current absence of uniform state oversight, where safety is often left to local municipalities or private landowners, leading to inconsistencies.

Key provisions include requiring tracks to register with the state, undergo annual safety inspections, maintain liability insurance (to cover medical costs without burdening families), standardize safety equipment, and implement measures like safety nets, hay bales, medical staff on site during events, warning signs for jumps, tree-free perimeters, track monitoring, age and height restrictions, and mandatory safety courses for riders.

According to Rep. Xiarhos, Colby’s parents, family members, and close friends came to the State House Thursday and courageously shared his story.

“Their testimony was powerful, unforgettable, and deeply moving. I want to commend the Lippincott family for their strength, their love, and their unwavering commitment to making sure what happened to Colby never happens to another child.”

The Colby Lippincott Memorial Wiffle Ball Tournament states that at the time of Colby’s crash, the track had no medical personnel on site, no safety inspections, no required insurance, and trees lining the riding area.

The track owners previously stated that all safety measures were in place at the time and closed the facility the next day out of respect.

While Colby’s family continues to fight for the law that bears his name, The Colby Lippincott Memorial Wiffle Ball Tournament will be held on August 9th at 9:00 a.m. at Sandwich Middle High School to support scholarships in honor of Colby through The Cape Cod Foundation.