Scooter Rider Critical After Sacramento Collision

Man Critically Injured in Scooter–Car Collision in Sacramento’s College Town Neighborhood A serious scooter–car collision left a man critically injured in Sacramento’s College Town neighborhood on Saturday afternoon, October 4, 2025. According to dispatch radio communications, emergency responders were sent at approximately 1:02 p.m. to the intersection of Folsom Boulevard and Power Inn Road. The injured scooter rider was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Sacramento Police reported that the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and that portions of the area were blocked off while investigators worked to document the incident. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. What We Know So Far - Time and location: Around 1:02 p.m. at Folsom Boulevard and Power Inn Road in the College Town area. - Injuries: The scooter rider sustained critical injuries and was taken to a local hospital. - Investigation: Law enforcement reported the involved vehicle stayed on scene and the intersection was partially closed during the investigation. - Cause: Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the collision. While official findings have not been released, collisions at busy intersections often involve complex factors such as driver attentiveness, visibility, traffic signal timing, speed, and the movement of multiple road users—vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, and micromobility riders like e-scooter users. Rising Micromobility Injuries: A Broader Context Scooter and e-bike use has surged nationwide, and injury data reflect that growth. Between 2017 and 2022, injuries involving electric scooters rose sharply, from about 8,566 cases to 56,847. Over the same period, e-bike injuries increased from roughly 751 to 23,493. Across the country, there were approximately 189,517 e-scooter injuries and 45,586 e-bike injuries reported. Researchers caution these figures may underestimate the true number of incidents because many crashes go unreported or are misclassified in medical records. These trends underscore the importance of safe roadway design, rider education, and driver awareness—especially at large, signalized intersections like Folsom Boulevard and Power Inn Road. Common Causes of Scooter–Vehicle Collisions While each incident is unique, investigations into scooter–vehicle collisions frequently consider factors such as: - Left-turn conflicts, where a turning vehicle fails to see a scooter approaching in the opposite lane. - Driver inattention or distraction, including mobile device use. - Speed and following distance, which affect reaction time and stopping distance. - Visibility challenges, especially in multi-lane traffic, near large vehicles, or during dusk/dawn lighting. - Lane positioning and merging movements near intersections or driveways. - Failure to yield at crosswalks or when making turns. - Impaired driving or riding. - Road surface hazards, including debris, potholes, and uneven pavement. Key California Rules That May Apply to E‑Scooters California law treats stand-up electric scooters differently from bicycles and cars, but many safety principles overlap. Depending on the circumstances, the following statewide rules may be relevant: - Speed and roadway use: E-scooters generally have a maximum speed of 15 mph and cannot be operated on roads with speed limits above 25 mph unless a bike lane is present. - Sidewalk restrictions: Riding on sidewalks is prohibited in many circumstances (particularly in business districts), and local ordinances may further restrict sidewalk use. - Helmets: Riders under 18 must wear helmets. Adult helmet use is strongly encouraged for safety. - Licensing: E-scooter operators must hold a valid driver’s license. - Bike lanes: Where a bike lane is present and accessible, riders are generally required to use it unless unsafe to do so. -