9-year-old dies after scooter crash in Fairfax County
Fairfax County community mourns death of 9-year-old on e-scooter
A Fairfax County community is mourning after a 9-year-old boy was killed while riding an e-scooter.
CHANTILLY, VA. - A 9-year-old boy has died after being struck by a vehicle while riding an electric scooter in the 3000 block of Madden Court near Sully Square, according to Fairfax County police.
Officers responded to the scene of the crash, which occurred around 5:30 p.m. in Herndon.
Witnesses said the boy was riding an electric scooter with friends in a townhome parking lot near Madden Court and Highland Mews Court when a minivan driver attempting to turn near her home collided with him.
The boy was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Medics transported the nine-year-old to a hospital with severe head trauma, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said the boy was a student at Oak Hill Elementary School.
The driver of the vehicle remained on scene distraught, according to a local resident. Police said the driver appeared to have been operating her vehicle in a safe manner when the boy crashed into the back passenger side of her minivan.
Madden Court at Highland Mews was closed in both directions as investigators worked the scene. Drivers were urged to use an alternate route.
What they're saying:
Neighbors said it was a mother of three who was returning home when the crash occurred in the parking lot next to her home.
"I believe she was coming home from work," said a neighbor who did not wish to be identified. "I did speak with her and she just sounds very in distraught and you know, she's a very sweet lady. Just always working. Always with her kids. At church. So, it's just, yeah, I feel awful for her. For all the families involved."
The neighborhood was filled with young families and lots of scooters when FOX 5's Bob Barnard was on the scene Friday evening.
On Friday, police said the boy might have survived the crash if he had been wearing a helmet.
"Safety is a community effort, so we want to make sure that everyone embraces the safety aspects of riding these types of vehicles and being on bicycles and being seen... wearing helmets," said Fairfax County Police Capt. Harold Morris. "We want to make sure that we provide services to those affected, which is why our victim services unit has been out there, our chaplain was out there last night to provide service's for those to comfort them."
According to Capt. Morris, county laws and ordinances regarding bikes and scooters require anyone under 15 to wear a helmet.
What's next:
Fairfax County police's Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating.
Meanwhile, police are issuing a warning to children across D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia to always wear helmets when riding.
What you can do:
Authorities ask anyone with information about the crash to contact Fairfax County Police.
The Source: Information from Fairfax County police.