Thursday, 6 August 2026, 16:39
Two 13-year-old girls riding an electric scooter together were struck and killed by a pickup truck towing a trailer in Syracuse, Utah, police said. The fatal crash happened in a residential intersection on Wednesday afternoon, leaving the community in mourning and investigators looking for answers.
According to the Syracuse Police Department, emergency crews responded to the intersection of Banbury Drive and Heritage Parkway just after 1 p.m. The two girls, both 13, were pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary information shows the pickup truck was traveling south on Banbury Drive, while the girls on the scooter were heading west on Heritage Parkway. The vehicles collided in the intersection, and the impact proved fatal for the teens.
The driver of the truck remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, a police official said. No arrests have been mentioned, and impairment has not been indicated as a factor.
The Syracuse Police Department released a statement expressing condolences. "The weight of this loss is especially heavy for the families and loved ones of the victims," the statement read. "We extend our condolences to the families, friends, and community members affected by this tragedy."
Authorities have not released the names of the girls, pending family notifications. The investigation is ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
This tragedy highlights the risks associated with e-scooter use, particularly for underage riders. In many states, including Utah, e-scooter riders must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver's license. If that law was followed, the 13-year-olds were too young to legally operate the scooter. However, police have not yet confirmed whether this was a rental scooter or a privately owned device, nor have they commented on age restrictions.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, e-scooter-related injuries have surged in recent years, with a significant number involving riders under 18. While fatal crashes remain relatively rare, they are especially devastating when they involve young people.
Though the crash happened in Utah, it carries a particularly strong resonance in California, where e-scooters are a common sight in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. California has implemented its own e-scooter rules, including a minimum age of 18 for most rental scooters and a requirement to wear helmets for riders under 18. Still, accidents have occurred, and safety advocates have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement and better infrastructure.
This incident is a somber reminder to California families and young riders that e-scooters are not toys. Experts advise wearing a helmet, obeying traffic laws, and never riding on busy roads without proper lighting and visibility.
As e-scooters have grown in popularity, so have the dangers. The first reported e-scooter deaths in the U.S. occurred in 2018 in California, when two men riding scooters were killed in separate incidents. Since then, dozens of fatal crashes have been reported across the country, often involving collisions with vehicles. Public health researchers have called for better data collection and safety regulations, including lower speed limits and designated scooter lanes.
The loss of two young lives is a tragedy no community should have to endure. As investigators piece together what happened in Syracuse, the broader conversation about e-scooter safety is likely to continue. For families everywhere, this heartbreaking event underscores the importance of understanding the risks and following safety guidelines, whether on a scooter, a bike, or behind the wheel.
