Girl, 15, who died on Central Florida race track was living dream

MICANOPY, Fla. – A 15-year-old girl helped build the race car that crashed during her second lap around an Ocala race track.

Richard Johnson told the Ocala Star-Banner that he bought a 1997 Nissan Sentra for his daughter, Niokoa Johnson a few months ago so she could pursue her dream of racing.

She died Sunday, a day after she apparently lost control of the car and crashed into a concrete barrier.

Johnson says it was his daughter's first time driving the car.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office says the Florida Highway Patrol will assist in the investigation. Officials plan on inspecting the car on Wednesday.

Sheriff's Maj. Tommy Bibb says they're awaiting autopsy results but believe the crash was accidental.

Family members told the newspaper Johnson died doing what she loved most.