The Simi Valley community is mourning a 13-year-old who, while riding an e-bike, was fatally struck and killed by an Amtrak train \u2014 among recent incidents in Southern California involving electric two-wheelers that have resulted in serious or fatal injuries.<\/p>\n
Authorities have not yet identified the 13-year-old, but the nonprofit youth baseball organization Simi Youth Baseball said on Instagram <\/a>it was mourning the loss of one of its players, Reis Beck, who was \u201cmore than a talented player, he was a beloved son, a brother, a teammate and a true friend to so many.\u201d <\/p>\n Local police said a student of the Simi Valley Unified School District was riding a \u201ctwo-wheeled motorized device\u201d near the Amtrak railroad crossing at Sequoia and Los Angeles avenues on the northeastern edge of the community on Saturday. <\/p>\n In their preliminary investigation, authorities found the 13-year-old failed to stop in time at the crossing and was struck by the passing train. <\/p>\n \u201cDespite emergency response efforts, the juvenile succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision,\u201d police said in a statement<\/a>. <\/p>\n Simi Youth Baseball said in its post that Beck\u2019s love of the game \u201cwas evident every time he stepped on the field, but it was his kindness, his energy and his unforgettable smile that truly made him special.\u201d <\/p>\n Beck\u2019s father, Landon Beck, spoke to KTLA 5<\/a> and said his 13-year-old son was one of four boys and a sports fanatic. <\/p>\n \u201cHe played rough, he loved sports, he loved competition,\u201d Beck said. \u201cHe, like all of our boys, also had a sensitive side \u2014 he had an intuition and an ability to read feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n The Times attempted to reach the Beck family but did not hear back before publication. <\/p>\n Simi Valley police said that, whether operating bicycles, or electric bicycles or other motorized devices, riders need to \u201cremain alert and attentive near roadways and railroad crossings.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cAlways obey posted signals, stop when required, and ensure it is safe to proceed before crossing tracks,\u201d the Police Department said in a statement. \u201cTaking a moment to stay aware can help prevent devastating incidents such as this.\u201d<\/p>\n Incidents involving electric bikes have made headlines in recent months. <\/p>\n