Valencia Deputy Injured In Dirt Bike Crash, Arrests Made

A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was injured Thursday evening after a teen on a dirt-style e-bike allegedly veered into the deputy's motorcycle in Valencia, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, as reported by CBS News Los Angeles. The collision happened just after 6:30 p.m., and investigators later located and detained two minors in connection with the crash, the department said.

The deputy was injured near Avenida Rancho Tesoro and Duke Drive when one teen "intentionally veered" into the motorcycle, causing the deputy to crash, according to the Sheriff's Department account cited by CBS News Los Angeles. A witness told investigators a second teen on a dirt bike was also present at the scene, the department said.

NBC Los Angeles reported that the deputy had been attempting an enforcement stop on two dirt-bike style e-bikes near Avenida Rancho Tesoro and Stoney Creek Road at the time of the crash. The deputy was transported to a local hospital and is expected to be OK, according to that report. The Sheriff's Department said the two teens were later arrested on suspicion of reckless driving, and the investigation remains active.

High-powered e-bikes and enforcement challenges

High-powered off-road e-motorcycles and converted e-bikes have been linked to a series of recent collisions across Southern California, complicating enforcement because many of the machines are not street-legal and can reach very high speeds, the Los Angeles Times reported. Officials and safety experts told the outlet that the power and speed of these bikes can turn a minor mistake into a serious crash, increasing risks for pedestrians and for patrol officers working the streets.

Arrests, potential charges, and next steps

Authorities said the riders involved in Thursday's crash were located and taken into custody. Early reports differ on where the case may go from here: NBC Los Angeles reported that the teens were held on suspicion of reckless driving, while CBS News Los Angeles noted that formal charges had not yet been released. According to the Sheriff's Department, investigators are still reviewing the crash and the evidence to determine whether additional offenses will be filed.