Hit-and-Run Driver Seriously Injures 13-Year-Old on E-Bike in Lake Ronkonkoma

A 13-year-old boy riding his e-bike was left seriously injured after a hit-and-run crash in Lake Ronkonkoma on Tuesday night, adding to the troubling rise in e-bike accidents across Suffolk County. According to Suffolk County police, Travis Wertovitch of Ronkonkoma was struck around 8:30 p.m. while riding north on Hawkins Avenue. A southbound driver in a 2012 white Ford Fusion made a left turn onto School Street and hit him before fleeing the scene.

Wertovitch was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police later arrested a 47-year-old woman in connection with the crash.

As NY bicycle accident lawyers, we are all too familiar with the devastating consequences of e-bike crashes and hit-and-run collisions. These cases present unique legal challenges that require attorneys with trial experience and a deep understanding of both traffic law and the fast-evolving world of e-bike regulations.

A Pattern of Dangerous E-Bike Crashes in Suffolk County

The Lake Ronkonkoma incident is not isolated. Suffolk County has seen a troubling pattern of e-bike crashes in recent months:

August 3 – Huntington Station: Frerlin Sarceno Gudiel ran a red light and collided with an SUV, injuring himself and the 81-year-old driver. He was charged with DWI and operating an e-bike while intoxicated.
June 7 – West Babylon: Tiager Collier, 23, was struck by a driver who fled the scene. Manuel Serrano Sanchez, 45, was later arrested for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury.
May 13 – Kings Park: 14-year-old Ezra Ama was struck by an SUV and seriously injured while operating a Ridstar-brand e-bike.
May 7 – East Patchogue: Joseph Bourque, 57, was critically hurt after his Letric Ebike Xpress 750 collided with a 2009 Acura.
May 2 – Commack: 20-year-old Aryan Saini was killed in a hit-and-run crash while riding an e-bike on Hauppauge Road. The driver fled the scene, and Saini later died at Good Samaritan Hospital.

These incidents underscore the dangers faced by cyclists—especially young riders—on Long Island roads.

Legal Recourse for Victims of E-Bike and Hit-and-Run Accidents

Victims of e-bike accidents and their families may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. When a driver flees the scene, recovery may also involve uninsured motorist claims, which can be complex and heavily disputed by insurance companies.

At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our trial lawyers have extensive experience handling both bicycle accident and hit-and-run cases. We understand that it is not enough to simply know the law—insurance companies must know that your attorney is prepared to go to trial if a fair settlement is not offered.

Contact Experienced New York E-Bicycle Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured in an e-bike crash or hit-and-run accident, contact the top-rated trial attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf. With more than 100 years of experience and a proven track record of record-setting verdicts and settlements, our firm fights tirelessly to secure justice for accident victims.

📞 Call us at 212-943-1090 or contact us online for a free consultation.