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13-year-old from Loxahatchee dies after dirt-bike crash; sheriff's office cites illegal sidewalk riding
Summary
The county sheriff's office confirmed a 13-year-old boy from Loxahatchee died after a collision involving a dirt bike and another vehicle. Deputies say the teen was riding illegally on a sidewalk; a 14-year-old passenger was seriously injured. Officials reviewed state regulations on off-highway vehicles and penalties.
The county sheriff's office confirmed that a 13-year-old boy from Loxahatchee died after a dirt-bike collision with another vehicle on West Sycamore Drive near 180 Fifth Veil North. Deputies said the teen was illegally operating a dirt bike on the sidewalk when he struck an SUV; his 14-year-old passenger was seriously injured.
The sheriff's office account said the teen “flew off that bike,” and that emergency crews took him to the hospital, where he later died. The office described the crash as occurring yesterday afternoon and is investigating the circumstances.
Speakers at the meeting cited Florida law on all-terrain and off-highway vehicle operation, noting that any gas-powered vehicle capable of traveling faster than 20 mph is treated as a motor vehicle under state law and therefore must be registered and operated by a person with a valid driver's license. The meeting record also states that an operator of a motorcycle without the proper endorsement commits a second-degree misdemeanor and will be issued a citation and required to appear in court.
Officials reiterated safety rules for minors: no person under age 16 may operate or ride on an all-terrain vehicle on public roadways unless wearing a U.S. Department of Transportation–approved safety helmet and eye protection. The record also notes penalties cited at the meeting: a $116 nonmoving violation for failing to follow certain off-highway vehicle rules and possible fines up to $500 and court appearance requirements for some misdemeanor offenses.
The meeting notes recorded other recent county crashes involving off-highway vehicles, including an incident described as an ATV that lost control and struck a sidewalk; that crash was reported as having resulted in at least one fatality and additional injuries. Investigations are ongoing in the incidents cited during the meeting.
No formal votes or directives related to enforcement or policy changes were recorded during the meeting comments on the crash. The sheriff's office remains the lead agency for the collision investigation.
