electric motorcycle – A 13-year-old died after veering into a median in Garden Grove. The crash has reignited concerns about illegal, high-speed e-motorcycles.
A 13-year-old boy died after an electric motorcycle crash in Garden Grove that sent him into the air before he slammed onto the roadway, authorities said, underscoring the growing risks tied to high-speed bikes increasingly popular with teens.
The Garden Grove Police Department said the crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday near Magnolia Street and Larson Avenue. Investigators reported that the boy veered into the center median, lost control, and hit the roadway after being thrown from the vehicle.
Police said they learned of the incident through a call from Life360, a family safety and location-sharing app that includes emergency assistance features. The Santa Ana teen was critically wounded, then transported by ambulance to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities said the rider was traveling at about 35 mph on a black E Ride Pro electric motorcycle when the vehicle struck the median.. Officials also pointed to the bike’s intended use. noting that electric motorcycles are primarily designed for off-road riding and are not legal for use on California roadways.
The Garden Grove crash is being viewed by authorities as the latest in a troubling run of serious incidents involving electric motorcycles and dirt bikes. including cases that have resulted in severe injuries. deaths. and even criminal charges against parents who allegedly allowed minors to ride the devices illegally.
Last week, an Orange County mother was charged with involuntary manslaughter after authorities said an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran died from injuries sustained when her 14-year-old son crashed into him while riding an e-motorcycle and then fled the scene.
In April, a Yorba Linda father faced felony child endangerment charges after investigators alleged his son ran a red light and was struck by a car while riding a modified e-motorcycle capable of reaching up to 60 mph.
More recently, a 19-year-old in Oceanside was arrested on suspicion of felony evading police and felony reckless driving.. Authorities accused him of leading sheriff’s deputies on a fast-paced chase through a residential area. including blowing past multiple red lights and knocking a deputy off a motorcycle.
While these cases vary in details. officials said they share a common thread: the technology and speed of certain e-motorcycles and off-road dirt bikes can outpace what teens—and the roads—are prepared to handle.. Electric motorcycles, police noted, can be especially dangerous when used outside the environments they’re designed for.
Authorities also highlighted that e-bikes generally top out at about 28 mph and are legal to ride on the street. but many e-motorcycles can go significantly faster and are generally not street legal.. That distinction is likely to matter for public safety, particularly as the devices gain traction among young riders.
In this context, Thursday’s crash in Garden Grove is raising renewed concern among investigators about how quickly high-powered bikes can be operated in traffic and what happens when they lose control at road speed.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has video footage is being asked to contact Investigator Lang at (714) 741-5823 or email at mlang@ggcity.org. In the meantime, authorities continue to urge caution around high-speed electric vehicles that are not intended for California roadways.
Garden Grove crash electric motorcycle teen death e-motorcycle illegal California roadways Life360 emergency call Orange County charges