A 15-year-old male teen riding an electric dirt bike sustained non-life-threatening injuries following a crash with a vehicle on Route 47 in Huntley Wednesday night, police officials said.
Huntley Police Deputy Chief Kevin Keane said police officers responded to a serious collision at the intersection of Illinois Route 47 and Reed Road at about 9:04 p.m. on Wednesday for a crash between a dirt bike and a car.
Keane said the 15-year-old Lake in the Hills teen was riding an E Ride Pro-S electric off-highway dirt bike when he crashed with a Hyundai Kona driven by a 17-year-old female Huntley resident.
Keane said preliminary findings show the electric bike was traveling eastbound on Reed and crossing Route 47 when the westbound Hyundai Kona was turning north onto Route 47.
The two vehicles collided in the intersection, Keane said.
The teen driver of the dirt bike was transported to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital.
The driver of the Hyundai Kona was uninjured and remained on scene, fully cooperating with the investigation, Keane said.
The investigation indicates the electric dirt bike was not authorized for use on public roadways, and witness statements indicate the rider was performing a wheelie at the time of the crash, Keane said.
Additionally, the operator was not wearing a helmet, Keane said.
Keane said these factors are believed to have been significant contributors to both the crash and the injuries sustained by the rider.
He added that the E-Ride Pro-S has a rated top speed of 50 mph.
The teen driver of the dirt bike was issued traffic citations for operating a vehicle without a valid license, operating a non-highway vehicle on the roadway without a valid driver’s license, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, and driving without a valid registration.
The electric dirt bike was towed from the scene, Keane said.
Keane added that the injured teen was accompanied by two additional 14-year-old males who were also operating electric off-highway vehicles.
Those teens were also issued citations for the same violations, and their vehicles were also towed from the scene.
Keane said the Huntley Police Department urges parents and guardians to ensure children and young adults operating electric motorized vehicles do so legally and safely.
He added that applicable state and local laws must be followed, and the recent crash is another example of the consequences of underage and unauthorized use of electric off-highway vehicles.
“It reflects a growing and dangerous trend that we cannot ignore,” Keane said in a news release issued following the crash on Wednesday. “Our department will continue to increase enforcement and community education to prevent incidents like this, but real change starts at home.”
He added, “Together, we can reduce the risk of serious crashes that endanger young people and others on the road. We extend our sincere hope for a full and speedy recovery to the injured rider.”