A person riding an electric motorcycle was killed and another was injured in a collision with a Tesla late Tuesday in Burbank.
The crash was reported at about 11 p.m. at the intersection of Alameda Avenue and Hollywood Way. Video from the scene showed the damaged e-motorcycle with a bent front wheel rim and a Tesla sedan with damage to the driver’s side doors.
A male on the e-motorcycle died at a hospital. A woman on the e-motorcycle was hospitalized in critical condition. Both were thrown from the bike after the high-speed crash, police said.
“Preliminary information indicates that unsafe speed by the motorcyclist was likely a contributing factor,” Burbank police said in a statement.
Details about their identities were not immediately available.
The Tesla driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
Anyone with information about the crash was asked to contact the Burbank Police Department’s Investigation Division at 818-238-3210.
Under California law, electric bicycles are classified based on motor power, maximum speed and whether they have operable pedals. Vehicles that exceed 750 watts of power, travel faster than 20 mph using motor power alone, or do not have fully operable pedals are generally considered e-motorcycles rather than e-bikes.
In its statement, the Burbank Police Department issued a safety warning.
“As electric mobility devices become more popular, the Burbank Police Department encourages parents and riders to understand the laws governing these devices, wear appropriate safety gear, obey traffic laws, and ride responsibly,” the agency said.