Teen and parents charged after 14-year-old seriously injured in Wilmington dirt bike crash

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington police are investigating a crash involving a 14-year-old riding an electric dirt bike that left the juvenile seriously injured Wednesday afternoon.

The Wilmington Police Department said officers responded around 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, to the 1300 block of Navaho Trail for a traffic crash involving the juvenile.

According to investigators, the 14-year-old was operating the electric dirt bike recklessly on Navaho Trail and turned in front of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.

The juvenile suffered severe injuries and was taken to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center for treatment.

WPD’s Traffic Unit responded to the scene and is handling the investigation.

Police said the juvenile is facing the following charges:

• Failure to yield
• No motorcycle endorsement
• No operator’s license
• No insurance
• Failure to register
• No motorcycle helmet

The juvenile’s parents are also facing charges of:

• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
• Allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a vehicle
• Allowing operation of a vehicle without insurance
• Allowing operation of an unregistered vehicle

The investigation remains ongoing.