A 14-year-old boy died on Sunday after being struck by a car while riding an e-bike in Bothell.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office reported that officers found the teenager severely injured at the scene. Emergency responders took the teen to Providence Regional Medical Center before he was transferred to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
The fatal collision occurred amid a broader surge in e-bike and scooter injuries reported across Western Washington.
The teen was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, according to law enforcement. However, medical experts emphasize that safety equipment alone cannot fully protect riders from high-impact collisions.
Dr. Sam Arbabi, chief of trauma at Harborview Medical Center, noted the severity of physical force involved in such accidents.
“And these injuries are associated with high force,” Arbabi said. He added that younger riders are particularly vulnerable to serious trauma during impacts. “Children do not have the musculature in their belly or their chest to protect them,” Arbabi said.
Arbabi stated that trauma cases involving e-bikes and scooters have escalated dramatically in recent years.
“Five years ago we had 30 injuries. Now we have more than 250,” Arbabi said. He called for regulatory measures addressing the capabilities of these devices. “We need to come up with a way to organize the speed because again, they go faster and the acceleration is even faster than some motorcycles,” Arbabi said.
In Bothell, community members have left flowers at a roadside memorial near the crash site.
Arbabi described the intense grief families experience following pediatric motorized vehicle accidents.
“The pain in the family’s eyes, especially when there is a child. Especially when you bought the e-bike or scooter, is so much,” Arbabi said.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support the teen’s family.
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