14-Year-Old Boy Dies After Motorized Bike Crashes Into Truck In Severna Park

Updated, Oct. 26 at 3:30 p.m.

SEVERNA PARK, MD — A 14-year-old boy was killed after crashing into a pickup truck while on a motorized bike, police said Friday.

Anne Arundel County Police said in a release that the fatal crash occurred Wednesday shortly after 7 p.m. in Severna Park.

The teenager was identified by Anne Arundel County Public Schools as Ryan Beales, a freshman at Severna Park High School.

A preliminary police investigation determined that Beales was on an e-moto traveling southbound on the B&A Trail when he entered Robinson Road and collided with the side of a Dodge Ram truck in the eastbound lane.

Authorities said Beales was flown from the scene to a local hospital and was later pronounced dead.

The truck driver, identified as a 49-year-old man from Millersville, suffered no injuries during the crash.

Police have not said how fast Beales was going on the e-moto, which authorities said was "not a street legal vehicle," according to CBS Baltimore. Beales was wearing a helmet.

Harrison Sudano, who provided photos of the scene to Patch, underscored that the e-moto tied to the fatal crash was "not a traditional electric bicycle."

"This distinction matters because these electric motorcycles can reach speeds of 30, 40, or even 50 mph, depending on the model," he told Patch. "At those speeds, drivers may have very little time to react to an unexpected situation, and riders face serious risks in a collision."

"I hope this incident can help raise awareness among parents and young riders about the difference between legal e-bikes and electric motorcycles, Maryland’s laws, and the potential consequences of operating vehicles that are not legally permitted on public roads," he added.

An investigation into the crash remains active.

Remembering Ryan

A memorial of flowers, balloons and stuffed animals has grown at the trail, with many classmates congregating to remember Beales.

In a letter to families and staffers, Severna Park High School Principal Nathan Johnson described Beales as a student who was a "positive presence in our hallways, classrooms, and cafeteria."

"This was Ryan's first year in the Severna Park community, and he quickly made friends in our school," reads the letter.

"He approached instruction with a positive attitude. He was very supportive of our students with special needs, and he had a great smile."

The school system has made counseling services available for students impacted by Beales' death.

The Anne Arundel County Crisis Warmline is available 24/7 at (410) 768-5522.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help support the Beales family.