FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After a 27-year-old scooter rider died in Fort Lauderdale, Esteban Sarasti said he is convinced that riding electric scooters in South Florida is "stupid dangerous."
On Friday afternoon, orange paint marked the spot on the 500 block of Federal Highway where the driver of a car struck and killed a man who was riding a shareable dockless scooter. He had used a ride-sharing app to rent it. The driver remained with the victim until police officers arrived.
"You really shouldn’t be doing it," Sarasti said. "There is no bike lane.That is for cars man."
The collision happened in the northbound lanes of Federal Highway just before 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue personnel was at the scene Friday morning to wash off the blood from the roadway, as police officers were still trying to find the victim's next of kin.
Lime, the company that owns the scooter, released a statement Friday afternoon saying they were devastated to learn of the tragedy.
"Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time," the statement said. "We have been in contact with local authorities and offered to assist however possible."
Robert Allegretti was also sad to learn of the tragedy. It reaffirms his belief that the scooters are dangerous.
"Down this way a few months ago this little boy, a 14-year-old, got hit," Allegretti said.
Authorities said the teenage boy who was struck in December in the 600 block of North Federal Highway was seriously injured and the driver took off.