Angel Mendoza Killed in Pomona E-Scooter Accident
The fatal collision occurred in a 25-mph residential zone on San Antonio Avenue near Franklin Avenue.
Angel Roman Mendoza Lopez, 13, of Pomona, was killed in an e-scooter accident on San Antonio Avenue near Franklin Avenue in Pomona, Los Angeles County, California, on Friday, April 17, according to the Pomona Police Department.
The afternoon crash occurred in a 25-mph residential zone. A vehicle struck the motorized device around 2:30 p.m. as the rider traveled to a friend's house after school.
Paramedics took the seventh-grade student to a local hospital with severe head trauma. He died from his injuries on Sunday.
No charges have been filed. The driver of the car stopped at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said.
Family members confirmed the boy was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. The crash remains under investigation.
How will investigators determine fault on San Antonio Avenue?
The loss of a child in a neighborhood crash leaves families devastated and searching for answers. While Pomona police continue to examine the circumstances of the collision, independent investigations often reveal critical details about vehicle speed and driver attention in residential zones.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal"In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from a crash scene, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party."
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, e-scooter injuries and death have risen sharply, with emergency rooms treating more than 115,000 micromobility injuries nationwide in 2024.
What rights do families have after a fatal e-scooter collision?
Following a fatal crash, insurance adjusters frequently attempt to assign blame to vulnerable road users, particularly when safety equipment like helmets are not use. However, establishing the driver's exact actions leading up to the impact remains the primary focus of liability analysis.
"We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital," said National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal"A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of. Relatives of wrongful death victims are entitled to seek damages for the loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident."
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.