SAN CLEMENTE, California – Hunter Bogert, 16, was struck Aug. 22 by a hit-and-run driver with Nevada license plates while riding his skateboard at Ola Vista and Avenida Santa Barbara streets, according to an article in the Orange County Register.

Police are asking the public to help find the female driver of a gold Lexus sports utility vehicle from Nevada who allegedly struck the skateboarder twice as it rolled through a stop signed on Santa Barbara.

Bogert fell off his skateboard after the initial hit, but was struck a second time as he attempted to get up and the driver fled the scene of the 1:20 p.m. crash. The teenager told KCBS news that he was struck in the back of the head and dragged by the car. His injuries included a chipped pelvis and he is still recovering from the crash.

Conner Covy witnessed the skateboard accident and alerted the driver at the scene that she had struck someone, but the driver took off without stopping to render the victim aid as required under California law.

The Sheriff’s Department’s traffic investigation division is asking anyone with information about the driver or the crash to call them at 949-425-1860.

Skateboarders are considered pedestrians under California law and motorists are required to exercise care when traveling on roadways.

Skateboarding Accident Statistics

In the United States, there were 14,783 children aged 14 years and younger that were taken to emergency rooms with head injuries while engaging in skateboarding in 2009, according to the to an American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) report.

Skateboarding ranks fifth in the top 10 sports-related activities leading to head injuries for children ages 14 years old and younger. The top four sports leading to head injuries in these children were cycling (40,272 injuries), football (21,878 injuries), baseball and softball (18,246) and basketball (14,052 injuries).

Additionally, according to the 2011 USA Skateboarding Fatality Report conducted by Skaters for Public Skateparks, Inc. (SPS) there were 43 reported deaths of skateboarders in the United States in 2011 including 11 in California, four in Texas and three in Virginia. The study showed that only one skateboarder was killed at a skateboard park and the other 40 were in public streets including 30 involving vehicles.

For roughly 30 years, the legal experts at Seegmiller Law Firm have represented thousands of clients who were injured in hit and run traffic accidents or have lost a loved due to a negligent driver.

For questions about what to do after a car accident call us today at 1-855-ASK WEST to speak with our experienced lawyers. There is no obligation to hire our firm, but we will help you determine if you need a lawyer and steps you can take to help cope with a loss. Seegmiller Law Firm has offices in California including its headquarters in Irvine. We also have offices outside of Orange County to serve you in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside and in Las Vegas, Nevada.