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Details emerge on 13-year-old killed in e-bike crash in Stoneham
The deadly crash has spurred safety talks on Beacon Hill.
Stoneham is mourning the death of a teenage boy who died following a crash into a car on an electric dirt bike on Friday, a tragedy that has pushed lawmakers to reconsider safety rules and regulations for the increasingly popular vehicles.
A preliminary investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Stoneham police shows that around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, a 73-year-old Toyota Corolla driver began making a left turn from Oak Street onto Royal Street when an electric dirt bike crashed into the car.
First responders brought the 13-year-old boy riding the bike to Mass General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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The DA’s office, Stoneham police, and State Police are continuing to investigate.
The DA’s office did not provide any additional information on Tuesday. It remains unclear whether police will issue charges against the driver.
The driver, Brois Smatkov, told WCVB that “I am very sorry about the boy, I didn’t expect anything like this.”
Smatkov told the news station that police towed his car from the scene and that they suspended his license as the investigation continues.
The death of Parker Robles, who community members identified, is being felt throughout the town.
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“Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the boy involved in this terrible tragedy,” Stoneham Police Chief James O’Connor said in a statement on Sunday.
Since the crash, O’Connor said the police department has received several calls about youths riding e-bikes and bicycles in an unsafe manner.
In response, the department has increased traffic patrol presence in town.
“The last thing we want is for anyone else to get hurt,” O’Connor said. “So we please urge parents to talk to their children, and our officers will remain vigilant on traffic patrols in the coming days and weeks.”
The Bedford Public Schools, the district where Parker attended John Glenn Middle School, released a statement following his death.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the death of Parker Robles,” the district’s superintendent, Cliff Chuang, wrote. “We have been in communication with Parker’s family, who are grateful for the support they have received from the community.”
The death sparked conversations on Beacon Hill about increasing enforcement and safety measures.
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House Speaker Ron Mariano told NBC10 that he would like to see the rules enforced and, if necessary, install new licensing requirements.
“We want to look at ways to make it safer and make sure that folks follow the laws that we have on the books,” he said.
Senate President Karen Spilka also stressed the need for proper safety and training for e-bike riders. After hearing Marinao’s proposal, MassLive says she responded, “(I) will take a look at that.”
“My heart goes out to the family of that boy,” Spilka, a self-professed biking enthusiast, told MassLive. “That’s a terrible tragedy, and I’m really sorry to hear about that.”
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