Duluth Mom Seeking Scooter Driver Who Hit Little Boy On Lakewalk
If you've been to downtown Duluth lately, you've likely seen people buzzing around on scooters, especially in the Canal Park and Lakewalk areas.
My family has enjoyed renting a Leaf scooter as it can be a fun way to get around. According to its website, Leaf is a "community-focused micro-mobility rental service" that provides an environmentally friendly means of transportation in the area.
To rent a scooter, you're supposed to be 18+ years old with a valid driver’s license, and Leaf stresses being safe and following the rules when on one of their scooters.
They explain safe riding practices online and even provide the following tips:
Riding
- Ride in bike lanes.
- Do not ride on sidewalks.
- Give those on foot the right of way.
- Keep an eye out for obstructions in the road.
Parking
- Park Respectfully out of foot and road traffic
- Keep walkways, doorways, driveways, access ramps, and fire hydrants clear.
- Be sure your kickstand is securely in the down position so the scooter stays upright.
- Avoid uneven surfaces like grass, gravel, rocks, or inclines.
However, some people don't always follow the rules, which can lead to dangerous driving situations in busy places. One such incident happened recently and now a Duluth mom hopes to locate a scooter driver.
A Scooter Hit And Run Reported In Duluth
Naomi Lynn of Duluth posted on Facebook this week that on Monday, August 12, she was with her 5-year-old son in Duluth's Canal Park area.
They ended up at the Veterans Memorial and as her son was walking through the entryway, someone traveling "at a good speed" on a Leaf scooter hit her young son.
According to Naomi, the driver looked back after striking the boy but just kept going, despite the efforts of bystanders and witnesses to get him to stop. She says she has since filed a report with the Duluth Police Department. She's reaching out through social media hoping somebody who has information will see her story.
She describes the drive as:
- Male
- Roughly 17 to 19 years old
- Wearing a white or grey hat and a green shirt
- He would've been on a Leaf scooter on Monday, August 12 at about 3 p.m.
Thankfully her 5-year-old son was not seriously injured, and he's recovering at home from the ordeal. On top of the physical trauma, she says he's emotionally traumatized by what happened. Naomi says he's such a sweet boy that he's not mad that he got hurt, but he is upset that the driver never checked on him to help or apologize.
She has reached out to Leaf Rides to see if they can figure out who the driver was, but they haven't been able to narrow it down yet and they are expected to continue their efforts. If anyone has any information on who the driver was, they are encouraged to reach out to Naomi Lynn through Facebook or contact the Duluth Police Department directly.