Questions rise about electric scooter safety after teen’s death Uptown

CHARLOTTE — Channel 9 asked officials about rules involving electric scooters in the city after a 16-year-old lost his life last week while riding one.

The sidewalk should be haven for everybody and it’s not.

Uptown resident Anthony Proctor said people often ride scooters on sidewalks, including one that nearly hit him.

Bird scooters, such as the one involved in Saturday night’s deadly crash, have signs on them saying, “No riding on sidewalks.”

Charlotte’s city ordinance states it’s unlawful for scooters, bicycles, and e-bikes to operate on public sidewalks.

“I’ve ridden a scooter before, and the idea of riding it on a road sounds terrifying,” said Detective Justin Kupfer.

He said it’s understandable why people don’t want to ride on the road, but that is where they are supposed to be.

“Best way is to treat it like a vehicle, a car,” he said.

Carlos David Caro Sevilla was on a scooter in the crosswalk at South Mint Street and West MLK Boulevard when he was hit and killed over the weekend.

Witnesses said police were directing traffic at the intersection when the deadly crash occurred.

Police are refuting those accounts.

They say they’ve reviewed the video of the incident and that their officers were at this intersection but not directing traffic. They say that can change minute-by-minute, depending on how many people are using the crosswalks and how much traffic is coming by.

VIDEO: Teen on electric scooter struck by car, killed in Uptown, police say

Teen on electric scooter struck by car, killed in Uptown, police say

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