Two 13-year-olds from Bloomfield Township remain in critical condition after being struck by a Ford F-250 while riding an electric motorcycle through a crosswalk on South Telegraph Road on Labor Day
Two 13-year-old boys are hospitalized in critical condition after a collision involving an electric motorcycle and a pickup truck in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. The crash occurred just before noon on Labor Day at the intersection of South Telegraph Road and West Hickory Grove Road, according to Bloomfield Township Police.
Police say the boys, both residents of Bloomfield Township, were riding together on a single electric motorcycle along the sidewalk on Hickory Grove Road. As they entered the crosswalk spanning southbound Telegraph Road, a Ford F-250 driven by a 35-year-old man from Rochester Hills struck them. Preliminary findings indicate the truck had a green light at the time of the incident.
Investigation and Hospitalization
Emergency responders transported the boys to two area hospitals: Trinity Health Oakland Hospital and Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. Both remain in critical condition as of the latest update. The Bloomfield Township Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash, including the operation of the electric motorcycle and the sequence of events at the intersection.
Electric Motorcycle Rules and Parental Awareness
In the days leading up to the crash, Bloomfield Township Police had issued a public reminder about the legal distinctions between e-bikes and electric motorcycles. According to the department, not all vehicles resembling bicycles are classified as such under Michigan law. Electric motorcycles, which lack pedals and can reach higher speeds, require a valid driver's license, registration, and insurance. They are not permitted on sidewalks, a point police emphasized in their recent outreach to parents and guardians.
Police Lt. Nick Soley noted that operating an electric motorcycle carries risks similar to driving a car, especially for young riders without proper licensing or training. The department has urged parents to familiarize themselves with state and local regulations before allowing minors to use these vehicles.
Community Impact and Safety Context
The intersection of South Telegraph Road and West Hickory Grove Road is a busy corridor in Bloomfield Township, with multiple lanes of traffic and signalized crosswalks. The incident has prompted renewed attention to pedestrian and cyclist safety, particularly as electric vehicles become more common among teenagers. Local authorities have not announced any immediate changes to traffic controls at the intersection but are reviewing the incident as part of their ongoing safety efforts.
Electric motorcycles have grown in popularity in recent years, but their legal status and safe operation remain a source of confusion for many families. Michigan law distinguishes between e-bikes, which may be allowed on certain paths and sidewalks, and electric motorcycles, which are subject to the same rules as traditional motor vehicles. The Bloomfield Township Police Department has committed to further public education on the topic in the coming months.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the recovery of the two boys and the need for clear understanding of vehicle laws among both parents and young riders. The incident underscores the importance of matching new technology with appropriate safety education and legal compliance, especially as electric vehicles become a fixture in suburban communities.
