A 13-year-old boy was left critically injured after the electric mini-bike he was riding collided with an SUV on Des Moines' southeast side, and the driver of that SUV is now facing an OWI arrest along with several other charges. Police say the boy was not wearing a helmet when he was found at the scene.
Des Moines police and fire crews responded to the 3000 block of Southeast 19th Street just after 7 p.m. after the crash, according to KCCI. The teen was riding south on Southeast 19th Street when a large SUV that had just turned north onto the street from Pleasant View Circle struck him, as reported by who13.com. He was taken to UnityPoint Health–Blank Children's Hospital for treatment.
Driver Allegedly Lied About His Identity
Officers reported signs of potential impairment in the SUV driver at the scene, and the station notes he was identified as 39-year-old Jose Santiago Vasquez Machado. Police arrested Vasquez Machado on a charge of first-offense OWI, and he was additionally charged with driving without a valid license.
According to the same report, Vasquez Machado was also charged with malicious prosecution after he initially identified himself as someone else to officers. Authorities later discovered he had an active arrest warrant dating back to 2024. In Iowa, a first-offense OWI is classified as a serious misdemeanor under state law.
Mini-Bike Reportedly Modified Beyond Legal Limits
Police said the mini-bike's factory specifications exceeded Iowa's e-bike limits, which cap motors at 750 watts and top speeds at 28 mph under state statute on low-speed electric bicycles. Because the bike may have been built to travel far beyond those classifications, police said it could potentially need to be registered as a motor vehicle, and its operator may need a driver's license to legally ride it.
The bike also reportedly lacked front and rear lights, according to who13.com's report. The Des Moines Police Department Traffic Unit says it continues to investigate the crash.
Part of a Broader Rise in E-Bike and Scooter Injuries
The crash lands amid a documented climb in emergency-room visits tied to electric bikes, scooters and similar small vehicles across the region. UnityPoint Health reported that such crash-related ER visits rose from just 16 in 2020 to 79 so far this year, according to kcrg.com. Doctors there say they've treated more than 400 people hurt in these types of crashes overall, and the outlet notes the injuries aren't limited to kids, with patients of all ages showing up after e-bike and scooter accidents.
The Iowa Department of Transportation notes that e-scooters' smaller wheels can make them more susceptible to cracks, bumps and debris, conditions the agency says can be especially challenging for younger or inexperienced riders. No update on the teen's condition beyond the initial critical injury has been released, and police have not disclosed further details on the status of the investigation.
