E-bike deer crash in East Islip sparks warning from police commissioner

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina issued a stark warning to parents and teens Friday following Thursday night’s serious e-bike crash that left a 13-year-old boy with serious injuries and killed the juvenile deer he crashed into.

Catalina cautioned that e-bikes are dangerous when operated by young teens and urged families to reconsider allowing children under 16 to ride them.

“Kids shouldn’t be on e-bikes unless they’re over the age of 16,” he said. “We see too many times that kids are out zipping around in these things… not wearing helmets, not obeying the rules of the road. They’re a menace.”

The commissioner added that police have the authority to confiscate e-bikes being operated recklessly or illegally, and legislative changes could make it easier to do so in the future.

Catalina praised the teen for wearing a helmet, noting it likely prevented even more severe injuries. Though he noted that the child was riding the e-bike fast enough that the force of the collision killed the deer.

“Thankfully he was wearing a helmet and our prayers are with him and his family,” Catalina said of the boy, who was riding with friends. “Hopefully he makes a full recovery.”

Thursday’s crash occurred when the teen was riding north Woodland Drive near Gwendolyn Place and John F. Kennedy Elementary School about 5:42 p.m. Investigators are still determining the exact speed.

Catalina emphasized that the dangers of e-bikes extend far beyond collisions with wildlife.

“It causes danger to people riding the e-bikes, to pedestrians, and to drivers,” he said, adding that some teens ride in packs and emulate “street takeover” behavior.

Suffolk Police’s Third Squad continues to investigate the East Islip incident. Anyone with information is asked to call 631.854.8352.

_{Top: Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina (still from video, provided by SCPD).}