E-Bike Rider Seriously Hurt In Crash With Pickup Truck In Rochester Hills: Sheriff

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — An electric motorcyclist was injured in a crash with a pickup truck Tuesday morning in Rochester Hills, according to sheriff's officials.

The crash happened at 7:25 a.m. Tuesday on West Avon Road near Old Perch Road, officials said.

Officials said a 42-year-old Rochester Hills man was riding an electric motorcycle on the sidewalk and began crossing the intersection.

He was initially inside the crosswalk, but officials said there was a vehicle stopped in a position that blocked the crosswalk, forcing the electric motorcyclist to travel outside the crosswalk.

That's when officials said he was struck by a 2009 Ford Ranger that was moving west on Avon Road. Witnesses told police the pickup truck sped through a red light.

The 42-year-old man, who was not wearing a helmet, was taken to Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital with serious injuries, officials said, adding he was listed in stable condition.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 20-year-old Village of Lake Orion man, and a passenger, a 20-year-old Rochester Hills woman, were not injured in the crash, officials said.

Officials said the electric motorcycle was unregistered and not legally permitted on either the sidewalk or the roadway.

"Obviously, we are seeing more crashes and dangerous situations from E-bikes and E-motos," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "The legislature must pass better guard rails on where, how, and who can operate these vehicles, as well as require disclosure to potential buyers about where, how, and who may operate them. It is also troubling that people sell kits to make it appear that an E-moto is an E-bike in an attempt to obfuscate illegal use."

Officials are still investigating the crash.