BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, Somerset County, N.J., Oct. 28, 2026 — A 16-year-old Bridgewater Township boy died on Tuesday night, October 27, after the electric scooter he was riding collided with a Tesla Model Y at a township intersection.
Bridgewater Township police said officers were called around 6:31 p.m. to Union Avenue and Adamsville Road for a report of a crash involving an electric scooter. Arriving officers found a disabled Tesla in the intersection and the teen down in the roadway.
According to the department, the teen was unresponsive and not breathing when officers reached him. Officials began CPR and other lifesaving measures that continued until paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson arrived. He was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerville, where he later died of his injuries.
A preliminary investigation found the Tesla, driven by a 38-year-old Bridgewater woman, was headed westbound on Union Avenue and turning left onto Adamsville Road. The police said the teen was riding the scooter eastbound on Union Avenue and went straight through the intersection when the Tesla struck him as it turned. The driver suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment. The Bridgewater Township Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit is continuing to investigate.
Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life.
Intersection Safety in New Jersey
The motorcycle crash was reported at Union Avenue and Adamsville Road in Bridgewater Township. Readers following crash news in Somerset County can find more about intersections across the state on our guide to New Jersey intersections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the type of road surface matter for scooter or motorcycle riders? Yes. Potholes, gravel, wet pavement, and uneven lane markings all affect how much control a rider has, especially at intersections where a vehicle may be turning across their path.
What gear helps reduce injury for scooter and motorcycle riders? A properly fitted helmet is the single biggest factor in surviving a crash, along with reflective clothing, long sleeves, and closed shoes to reduce road rash and blunt-force injury.
What usually causes crashes between turning vehicles and scooters or motorcycles? Left-turn collisions are common because a turning driver may not see a smaller, faster-moving rider approaching straight through the intersection, particularly at dusk or in low light.
Why do these crashes tend to cause more serious injuries than typical car crashes? Riders have no surrounding frame or airbags, so the force of a crash is absorbed directly by the body, which makes head, chest, and limb injuries far more likely even at moderate speeds.
What to Do After a Motorcycle or Scooter Crash in Bridgewater Township, NJ
Anyone involved in or witnessing a scooter or motorcycle crash should call 911 immediately and avoid moving an injured rider unless there is an immediate danger. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is important, since some head and internal injuries aren't obvious right away. Riders and drivers should exchange information, take photos of the scene if it's safe to do so, and cooperate with responding officers so a full report can be filed. If police open an investigation, as in this case, anyone with relevant information should reach out directly to the department handling it.
