Two boys on electric scooters were struck as they went through a west Riverside intersection, suffering major injuries, authorities said Wednesday.
The collision happened shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday at Arlington and Mitchell avenues, according to the Riverside Police Department.
Detective Steve Espinosa said that the victims, identified only as 14-year-old boys, were starting to cross the intersection when a Lexus sedan driven by an 88-year-old Riverside man ran into them.
One boy was on an e-scooter, the other on an e-moto, neither of which is legal under California law to be operated by underage riders on municipal rights-of-way.
“Whenever a collision involves a vehicle and riders, the potential for serious injury is significant,” police Traffic Bureau Sgt. Tim Jensen said. “We urge everyone, regardless of how they are traveling, to follow the rules of the road.”
Espinosa said the boys were taken to a Riverside hospital with extensive injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
He said the motorist, who was not hurt, was questioned at the scene by patrol officers but not arrested.
“It is unknown at this time whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision,” the police spokesman said.
The investigation was ongoing Wednesday. Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact the Traffic Bureau at 951-353-7177.