Two teens riding dirt e-bikes have been arrested following what L.A. County Sheriff’s Department officials are calling an intentional assault on a peace officer, in which one suspect veered into a motorcycle deputy, causing a collision on Thursday evening, according to the LASD.
Additional details have been released into the circumstances that led to a deputy-involved collision at the intersection of Avenida Rancho Tesoro and Duke Drive in Valencia at approximately 6:33 p.m. Thursday.
Two teenaged boys, at the time estimated to be 15 to 19 years of age, were riding dirt bikes and one suspect, described to be wearing a black motorcycle helmet, black T-shirt, and dark jeans, intentionally “veered into a deputy causing the deputy to crash,” according to an LASD alert on the matter published on social media at approximately 8 p.m. Thursday. The e-bike rider was traveling with another teenaged boy at the time of the incident.
The second rider, who was identified as a witness to the crash on the LASD alert, was described to be wearing a white motorcycle helmet, white T-shirt and dark pants.
Not long after the alert was published, the two teenagers were identified and arrested, according to an update posted on the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station official Instagram.
“The juvenile suspects have been successfully identified and arrested, and their dirt bikes have been towed,” the post read. “We sincerely thank the public for your invaluable assistance in resolving this case.”
No additional details on how the two juveniles were identified and arrested were shared.
A source familiar with the matter who was not authorized to speak on record told The Signal on Thursday that the deputy involved in the crash was following the two teens traveling on dirt bikes then crashed into a pole.
One person was transported to the hospital in an unknown condition following the incident. The source identified the person taken to the hospital as the motorcycle deputy and stated he was expected to recover from his injuries.
Incident highlights e-bike concerns
The safety of e-bikes and the conduct of those riding them have been an ongoing concern in the community. After several residents voiced the latest concerns during Tuesday night’s Santa Clarita City Council meeting — complaining of vandalized trail signs, injuries caused by e-bikers and other safety concerns — City Manager Ken Striplin shared a frustrated response to residents: “It has to start with the parents.”
City officials shared information about the rules regarding e-bikes on Thursday, following the discussion at Santa Clarita City Hall.
“Standard e-bikes are not subject to confiscation or impoundment solely based on being operated as e-bikes,” according to an email from Joe Redmond, spokesman for the city of Santa Clarita. “However, many of the vehicles currently being encountered are classified as electric motorcycles or off-highway vehicles rather than legally defined e-bikes. If those vehicles are operated illegally on public streets, they may be cited and/or impounded.”
Redmond also shared all of the requirements for an “e-motorcycle“ to be operated legally on public streets within city limits: The rider must possess a valid Class M2 (motorcycle) license; wear a Department of Transportation-approved motorcycle helmet; have the vehicle registered with the California DMV, which also means it is properly insured and equipped with required safety features, including working headlights, taillights, turn signals, mirrors and a horn.
“A failure to meet these requirements can result in citations, fines or impoundment of the vehicle,” Redmond wrote, mentioning the following are potential financial penalties.
If a vehicle is impounded, associated costs may include $256 for a release form from the Sheriff’s Department; a towing fee of approximately $187 per hour for towing transport of e-motorcycle; and storage fees of $29 per day. The total cost ultimately depends on how long the vehicle remains at the storage facility before being retrieved by the owner.
Senior Staff Writer Perry Smith contributed to this story.
