Authorities have publicly identified a 48-year-old man who was killed last weekend in a collision between two dockless scooters on the Mission Beach Boardwalk.
Brian Witzeman of Mesa, AZ, and a 22-year-old female friend were riding the two-wheelers next to each other in the 3300 block of Ocean Front Walk when they collided and fell onto the concrete pedestrian path about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, according to San Diego Police.
Both suffered scrapes and bruises in the crash, and Witzeman complained of chest pains. Medics took him to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where he was pronounced dead, San Diego Police Department Lt. Shawn Takeuchi said.
A preliminary autopsy report concluded that Witzeman died of blunt-force trauma to his torso.
“At this point in the investigation, alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision,” Takeuchi said Thursday afternoon. “However, additional tests are being conducted by the (county) Medical Examiner’s Office, and those results will be reviewed by SDPD traffic investigators.”
It was the second fatal accident involving a motorized scooter to occur in the city.
Since Jan. 1, there have been at least 15 reported serious crashes involving the popular single-person rental conveyances in San Diego, according to Takeuchi.
“The injuries range from serious fractures to significant head injuries,” Takeuchi said. “Scooter riders should be aware of their surroundings and yield to pedestrians when appropriate.”
The city is implementing new regulations on dockless devices, including motorized scooters, Takeuchi said. Starting July 1, operators of the machines will be required to reduce speeds in specific areas, including beach-area boardwalks.
Use of motorized scooters is also regulated under the California Vehicle Code.
— City News Service