A fatal traffic collision occurred late Tuesday morning at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue, resulting in the death of an adult male electric scooter rider, according to the Buena Park Police Department.
At approximately 11:00 AM, police officers responded to reports of a collision involving a semi-trailer truck and a scooter rider. Upon arrival, they found the scooter rider critically injured in the roadway. Despite rapid intervention by first responders and paramedics, the individual succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a local hospital.
According to preliminary findings, the scooter rider was traveling northbound on the east sidewalk of Beach Boulevard and entered the crosswalk without stopping. At the same time, the semi-truck was making an eastbound turn onto Commonwealth Avenue from northbound Beach Boulevard, leading to the tragic collision.
The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. The Buena Park Police Department’s Serious Collision Investigation Detail is actively examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Orange County Coroner’s Office.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the collision or has relevant information to contact the Buena Park Police Department Traffic Bureau. The case number associated with this incident is 25-24222.
Based on the most recent and comprehensive data available, here are the estimated annual fatalities involving electric scooter riders in the U.S. from 2020 onward:
Electric Scooter Fatalities by Year (Estimated Averages)
- 2020: Approximately 25–30 deaths
- 2021: Estimated 30–35 deaths
- 2022: Estimated 35–40 deaths
- 2023: Estimated 40–45 deaths
- 2024: Estimated 45–50 deaths
- 2025 (projected): Around 50+ deaths, based on rising trends
Key Insights
- Between 2017 and 2023, there were 164 total e-scooter fatalities, averaging about 23.4 deaths per year.
- Fatalities have increased annually, correlating with the growing popularity of e-scooters and expanded micromobility services.
- 80% of e-scooter fatalities involve a collision with a car, often at intersections.
- Helmet usage remains low, with fewer than 5% of riders wearing helmets, contributing to the high rate of head injuries.
In California, electric scooter-related injuries and fatalities have risen significantly since the widespread adoption of shared micromobility services in 2018. Here’s a summary of the most relevant data available:
Electric Scooter Fatalities in California (2020–2025)
While exact annual fatality numbers for California are not consistently published, available data and regional studies suggest the following:
- 2018–2019: Southern California alone reported 595 injuries in 2018 and 672 in 2019, with fatalities beginning to be tracked more closely.
- 2020–2022: Across California, injuries continued to rise, with over 50,000 emergency department visits nationwide in 2022 attributed to e-scooter accidents 1. California, being one of the most active states for micromobility, likely accounted for a significant portion of these.
- 2023–2025: Fatalities have increased in line with usage. While national averages suggest 23–25 deaths per year, California likely sees 5–10+ fatalities annually, especially in urban centers like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.
Key Trends in California
- Southern California has been a hotspot, with 1,354 injured patients identified from 2014 to 2020, mostly scooter riders.
- Helmet usage remains low, especially among adults, contributing to serious head injuries.
- Most accidents occur on streets or highways (41%) and involve inattentive drivers or riders.