A tragic incident occurred in Fort Bend County, resulting in the death of a 15-year-old boy from Katy. The young rider was involved in a collision with a vehicle operated by a pizza delivery driver while riding his electric bike.
The accident took place on Saturday, October 10, at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Woods Road, close to Tamarron Parkway in Brookshire. According to investigators, the teenager was traveling south against traffic on his e-bike, which was not equipped with any lights, when he struck a Honda Civic that was heading northbound.
The driver of the Honda, an 18-year-old resident of Fulshear, was in the process of delivering pizza at the time of the crash. Following the incident, he stopped to provide assistance and promptly called 911 for help.
The teenager was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Katy, where he later succumbed to his injuries. So far, no charges have been filed concerning the incident.
This unfortunate event marks the second occurrence within a little over a month involving the death of a child riding an electric bike or scooter in Fort Bend County. In September, an 11-year-old lost his life in a similar e-scooter accident near Katy.
According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, deputies have responded to over 30 incidents this year involving electric bikes and scooters among children aged 11 to 15. Sheriff Eric Fagan noted a concerning increase in these incidents and shared a safety message via social media, urging riders to wear helmets, reduce their speed, and come to a complete stop before navigating roads or intersections.
Additionally, he advised riders to refrain from using phones or headphones while riding and reminded drivers to remain vigilant and watch for children on the roads. “Parents, have the conversation. Riders, make smart choices. Drivers, pay attention,” Fagan emphasized. “It only takes one moment for a preventable mistake to become a tragedy.”
For Fulshear resident Sergio Bedoya, these accidents underscore his decision not to permit his 10-year-old son to ride an e-bike or e-scooter alone at this time. Bedoya expressed concerns regarding his son’s readiness for independent riding and his comfort level with the speed of these vehicles. Currently, they ride together, allowing him to teach his son the importance of stopping at every stop sign and safely sharing the road.
Bedoya believes that parents play a crucial role in ensuring that children learn to ride safely before they are allowed to venture out on their own.
