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Two 14-year-old boys have died after being struck by a car while riding an e-scooter and an e-motorcycle in Riverside.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, August 25, at approximately 7:46 p.m. at the intersection of Arlington Avenue and Mitchell Avenue, near Rosemary Kennedy Elementary School.
According to Riverside police, the teens were attempting to cross the intersection when an 88-year-old driver in a Lexus sedan hit them. The driver remained at the scene, and it is currently unclear whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. Both boys were taken to the hospital with major injuries and were in critical condition before succumbing to their injuries last week.
Local resident Paul Cross described the scene as horrific, noting one boy was lying on the ground while the other was through the windshield. "When I came out, the man was dragging one of the bikes that way," Cross told KTLA. "He was very shocked."
The Riverside Police Department is investigating the crash, including whether the driver ran a red light. The incident highlights growing concerns over safety issues involving e-bikes and e-scooters in the area. In Riverside County, emergency room visits for e-bike injuries among 10 to 14-year-olds more than doubled in 2025.
Residents believe more safety measures are needed to protect riders and pedestrians from cars. "There are e-bikes here every day, but there are cars here going 100 miles per hour," Cross said.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Detective Matt Parrish at 951-353-7177 or email MWParrish@RiversideCA.gov.