A dispute in a Taco Bell parking lot in Vancouver, Washington, escalated into a driver striking two teenagers riding an e-bike, seriously injuring one of them and leading to three arrests: the driver, the uninjured teen, and that teen’s father, according to the Vancouver Police Department via KOIN 6 News.
Officers were called to the restaurant on Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard on May 12 after receiving multiple reports of a disturbance and a collision in the parking lot, according to police. Investigators determined that two 16-year-olds had been riding a bike described in reports as both an e-bike and a dirt bike through the lot while harassing people, damaging vehicles, and, at one point, blocking a car from leaving.
The driver of that car struck the bike, throwing both teens to the ground, police said. One of the teens was seriously injured, suffering a compound fracture to the leg, according to authorities. The other teen was not hurt.
An arrest was made of the driver on suspicion of vehicular assault. Police said the uninjured teen left the scene and returned to his home, where officers later arrested him on suspicion of second-degree malicious mischief and obstructing a law enforcement officer. While at the residence, officers also arrested the teen’s father, who was accused of obstructing a law enforcement officer and rendering criminal assistance.
What Police Said Happened
According to the Vancouver Police Department, the incident started when two 16-year-olds rode through the parking lot and behaved aggressively toward customers in the drive-through and surrounding area. The wayward teens reportedly hassled others, damaged vehicles, and kept at least one car from driving away before the collision occurred.
After the driver hit the e-bike, both teens were knocked to the pavement. One ended up underneath the vehicle, according to the police. They were left with serious injuries, including a compound leg fracture. As of the initial police report at the scene, the injured teen’s condition was not released.
Three Subsequent Arrests
Three individuals were taken into custody. The driver is facing a vehicular assault allegation. Police claimed that the injured teen ended up fleeing the scene, but was later found and arrested at his home on suspicion of second-degree malicious mischief as well as obstructing a law enforcement officer. The teen’s father was arrested at the same residence as well on suspicion of obstructing a law enforcement officer and rendering criminal assistance.
Authorities have not released the names of those arrested. At this time, the case is still under investigation.