GAREN GROVE, Calif. (KABC) — A 13-year-old boy has died after crashing an electric motorcycle in Garden Grove Thursday night, police said.
The teen, who has not been identified, was believed to be going about 35 miles per hour when he approached a curve and collided with a center median, according to authorities.
The crash happened just before 10 p.m. Police say the teen was riding by himself when he crashed and was ejected from the motorcycle.
Garden Grove Police said the e-motorcycle involved was not street legal and emphasized it was not an e-bike, noting it did not have pedals and was more comparable to a dirt bike that would be used for off-roading.
Garden Grove Police shared this image of the e-motorcycle involved in Thursday night’s crash in Garden Grove.
GARDEN GROVE POLICE
Authorities said they were alerted to the incident through Life360, a location-sharing safety app used by families and close friends to track each other. The app has a crash detection feature.
The teen was wearing a helmet, but officials said it was a traditional bicycle helmet rather than one designed for motorcycle use.
Garden Grove police said the case highlights growing safety concerns tied to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles among young people.
“It’s terrible. This is an absolute terrible situation. My heart goes out to the family. I can’t imagine what they’re going through. But my only advice is look up and do some research if you are going to buy your children something if you must,” Garden Grove police Sgt. Nick Jensen said.
The crash marks the second recent fatal incident in Orange County involving an e-motorcycle.
Last month in Lake Forest, authorities said 81-year-old Ed Ashman was killed after being struck by a 14-year-old who was illegally riding an e-motorcycle. That teen’s mother has since been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Officials said the 13-year-old who died in Garden Grove was a student in the Garden Grove Unified School District.
A district spokesperson said counselors were made available on campus and that officials are working to raise awareness about e-bike and e-motorcycle safety.
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