Teenager’s death prompting new conversations about e-scooter safety in Kamloops

Kamloops RCMP say paramedics were called to the intersection of Battle Street and Lee Road around 4:00 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. Police were then called to Royal Inland Hospital around 6:00 a.m. that day, and they say Dennis, who suffered critical injuries, was later pronounced dead in hospital.

“Luke feels angry and saddened by the incident,” Davison added. “So he decided that he wanted to bring this to the attention of hopefully a member of city council, and he felt that a petition would be helpful.”

More than a thousand people have already signed the petition, and Davison said its way better response than her son was expected. Grigg wasn’t able to speak to media, but in the petition he wrote that the use of e-scooters “compromises public safety.”

“They are riding without helmets, without safety gear, without an understanding of the rules of the road,” Davison added. “They double on them, they have…they’re intoxicated at times. It’s just very dangerous.”

The circumstances around Hunter’s death are not publicly known, but police said no other vehicles were involved. They also said they believe he was not wearing a helmet – a trend that’s been noticed across the province as well.

Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) shows hospitalizations among children and adults riding e-scooters have risen by almost 40 per cent in the last year. The data shows e-scooter crashes requiring hospitalization doubled in B.C. over the past four years to 172.

Health officials in the province are urging people to take these vehicles seriously, as the BC Coroners Service has also confirmed nine e-scooter deaths since 2021.

“These scooters are not a toy. If you fall, you can hurt yourself,” Dr. Silvina Mema, Interior Health’s deputy chief medical health officer, said. “The most common injuries are broken bones, particularly the upper part of the body, and also concussions. This is why wearing a helmet is mandatory.”

“What happened in Kamloops is tragic. The fatality is raising the profile of electronic scooters and its going to allow people to be more aware of how to protect themselves.”

The Kamloops Brain Injury Association (KBIA) is also hoping the provincial government moves to ensure there is better data collection around e-scooter injuries, particular major ones like head injuries, broken bones and concussions.

“I think the government should have a public consultation to be honest,” executive director Dave Johnson said. “[They could] say ‘hey, people. What do you think? Stakeholders like ICBC, the insurance companies, the [KBIA]…tell us what you know. General public what do you think about this?”

“They could leave that for a 30 day period then give the people down in Victoria 30 days after that and then move on it.”

Launched in 2021, the provincial e-scooter pilot is currently set to run until 2028. Participating communities are allowed to set their own rules around the use of these vehicles. The rules and regulations that permit the use of e-scooters in Kamloops can be found here.

“Do we make it like a motorcycle where you need special licensing or do we make it like a regular bicycle where you have to wear a helmet? I think that’s an open question, but let’s talk about it,” Johnson said.

Johnson also said this conversation is not just about rentable e-scooters, given the growing popularity of these vehicles as a mode of transportation in Canada and across the world.

“There are private e-scooters and e-bikes all over the place, so whether or not a city like Kamloops has those little blue scooters, these things are going to be on the road,” Johnson said. “We should allow the RCMP and other law enforcement to know what the rules are because right now, it’s unclear.”

“Yes, its a new phase but let’s learn more about them and how to use these things safely and in a way that prevents long-term injuries.”

A rentable e-scooter being used on St. Paul Street in downtown Kamloops on Aug. 26, 2026. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today)

Davison added she is proud of her son for taking a stand and trying to effect change following the death of his friend.

“It’s interesting because in the conversations that are happening on Facebook, people are agreeing that this is a problem, however there is a place for these things in our community,” Davison said.

While its not clear what the outcome of the petition will be, Davison and her son hope it will spark more of these conversations around the use of e-scooters in Kamloops.

“We need to make sure our children are safe and our young adults are safe,” she added. “I don’t have the answers, Luke doesn’t have the answers but if we can come together as a community and discuss this, maybe we can come up with some solutions and make our roads safer.”

by Victor Kaisar

Teenager’s death prompting new conversations about e-scooter safety in Kamloops

Our Community