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Oakland Boy Paralyzed in 2023 Freeway Shooting Debuts Mario Kart Costume Built for His Wheelchair

Built by Magic Wheelchair volunteers led by an Oakland police officer, the custom kart restored Halloween participation at Asa Luo’s school parade.

Overview

  • The 10-year-old saw the life-size Red Yoshi Standard Kart revealed at Chabot Elementary on Halloween, drawing cheers from classmates.
  • The team spent about eight months designing and fitting the 11-foot replica with lights, sound effects, exhaust flames and a trailing red shell.
  • The build integrates with his mouth-operated wheelchair so he could steer onto the blacktop and navigate campus safely.
  • The nonprofit Magic Wheelchair provided the costume at no cost; volunteer builder Officer Cory Hunt says this was his fifth project and first for an Oakland child.
  • The California Highway Patrol says the 2023 I-580 shooting that injured Asa remains under investigation with no arrests.