Published: September 16, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
Correction (September 20, 2026): An earlier version of this article, relying on an initial news report, said both boys died “last week.” Riverside police confirmed on Sept. 16 that one boy died on Aug. 30 and the other died on Sept. 2, the Press-Enterprise reported. The article has been corrected. We regret the error.
(Riverside, CA) – Two 14-year-old boys have died after they were struck by a driver while riding an e-scooter and an e-motorcycle in Riverside, according to police.
The crash took place on Aug. 25 at roughly 7:46 p.m. at the intersection of Arlington Avenue and Mitchell Avenue. Riverside police confirmed on Sept. 16 that one of the boys died on Aug. 30 and the other died on Sept. 2, the Press-Enterprise reported.
According to police, the two boys were on an e-scooter and an e-motorcycle near Rosemary Kennedy Elementary School when they were hit by an 88-year-old driver. Investigators said the teens were trying to cross the intersection when a Lexus struck them.
The 88-year-old motorist behind the wheel of the Lexus remained at the scene, police said. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been reported.
Both boys were taken to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital with critical injuries and remained on life support, police said.
The collision comes amid a sharp rise in crashes involving electric bikes and scooters. “We’re starting to see a lot more calls for service that deal with groups of people on e-bikes,” Riverside Police Department spokesperson Steven Espinosa told KTLA. “It’s a huge concern.” California Highway Patrol data show reported e-bike crashes statewide rose from 48 in 2020 to 1,366 in 2025, figures the agency notes depend on local departments reporting them.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the Riverside Intersection Collision
When a collision at a controlled intersection results in fatalities, investigators typically reconstruct the sequence of events to determine which parties had the right of way and whether any road user failed to yield. Under Vehicle Code section 21800, drivers approaching an intersection must yield to traffic that has lawfully entered it, and the timing and positioning of each party will often be central to how a case like this is evaluated. Nothing in the available information establishes who had the right of way here, and that question remains for investigators.
California's Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, provides that no motorist may travel faster than is reasonable and prudent given conditions such as visibility and the character of the roadway. Because the collision occurred near an elementary school in the evening, investigators may examine speed, sightlines, and surrounding conditions, though no source indicates that speed was a factor.
Civil claims arising from a crash generally rest on the negligence framework of Civil Code section 1714, which holds a person responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care. If a formal review were to find that any party violated a traffic statute, Evidence Code section 669 can allow that violation to be treated as a presumption of negligence when the violation proximately caused the type of harm the law was meant to prevent. These principles are general and do not point to fault by anyone involved here.
Because the victims were minors, any legal analysis would also account for the operating rules that apply to motorized scooters under Vehicle Code section 21235, as well as the rules of the road governing all users of a shared intersection. How those rules apply, if at all, depends entirely on facts that only a completed investigation can establish.
What Families Can Do
Families coping with the loss of a child after a traffic collision face both grief and difficult practical questions. Obtaining a copy of the official traffic collision report, preserving any available evidence such as photographs or nearby video, and keeping records related to the incident can be important early steps. California law provides avenues for surviving family members to pursue accountability, including wrongful death claims under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 and survival actions under section 377.30, and the general two-year deadline for personal injury claims under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 makes timely guidance valuable. Families who have questions about their rights may find it helpful to speak with an attorney who can explain the process.
Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Riverside Car Accident Lawyer at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. ABC7 – 2 teens riding e-scooter, e-motorcycle die after being hit by 88-year-old driver in Riverside
2. KTLA – 2 teens riding e-scooter, e-motorcycle die after being hit by elderly driver in Riverside
