Watertown Teenager Injured in E-Bike Collision with SUV

71-year-old driver charged after 18-year-old struck while riding e-bike

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:09pm

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An 18-year-old Watertown resident was taken to a Syracuse hospital after being struck by a 71-year-old woman driving a Nissan Pathfinder SUV while the teenager was riding an e-bike through an intersection on Tuesday night, according to city police.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing safety concerns around the increasing popularity of e-bikes, particularly in urban areas where they must share the roads with larger vehicles. It also raises questions about driver awareness and responsibility when it comes to sharing the road with vulnerable road users.

The details

Police say the 71-year-old Watertown woman was driving west on Coffeen Street and turning left onto Bellew Avenue when her SUV collided with the 18-year-old e-bike rider, who was traveling east on Coffeen Street with his headlight on. The teenager was transported to a hospital in Syracuse for treatment.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday night.

The players

Watertown Police

The local law enforcement agency investigating the collision.

71-year-old Watertown woman

The driver of the Nissan Pathfinder SUV involved in the collision with the e-bike.

18-year-old Watertown resident

The teenager riding the e-bike who was struck and injured in the collision.

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What’s next

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and may file charges against the SUV driver.

The takeaway

This collision underscores the need for greater awareness and safety measures to protect e-bike riders, who are vulnerable road users, as e-bike usage continues to rise in urban areas.