A 14-year-old girl is fighting for her life after a motorcycle struck her while she was riding an electric skateboard in West Palm Beach on Wednesday night. Emergency crews rushed both the teenager and the motorcycle rider to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where doctors placed the girl in pediatric intensive care. Local investigators say they are still working to piece together the full sequence of events.
Collision details
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office crash report states that the motorcycle was heading west on 9396 Pinion Drive at 10:06 p.m. when it collided with the girl, who was traveling east on an electric skateboard, according to WPEC. Both the motorcyclist and the girl were transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center as trauma alerts. Hospital staff later reported that the rider suffered minor injuries, while the teen remains in critical condition and is intubated in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Hospital response
St. Mary’s Medical Center houses the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital and serves as a regional hub for pediatric trauma care, according to Palm Beach Health Network. The facility offers 24/7 pediatric emergency services and intensive care for children with severe and complex injuries.
Micromobility and safety
Crashes between motor vehicles and small electric devices such as e-skateboards often result in especially serious injuries for the person on the smaller vehicle, according to NHTSA. In a broader safety review, the National Academies has also pointed to significant gaps in data on micromobility crashes and urged better tracking, along with infrastructure improvements, to reduce the risk of severe injuries.
Investigation
Authorities say the investigation into the collision is ongoing and have not released any findings about fault or the possibility of charges. Investigators also have not yet determined whether the girl was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to WPEC.
