Pomona family mourns 13-year-old boy killed in crash while riding e-scooter

A Pomona family is mourning their 13-year-old loved one who was killed while riding his e-scooter home from school last week. 

"He didn't deserve to go this way," said Karen Torres. "He didn't deserve to have all that pain."

Torres was one of many who gathered to remember Angel Mendoza, who was struck by a car when he rode his e-scooter off the sidewalk and into the road while on his way home from school at around 2 p.m. Friday. Family members say that he wasn't wearing a helmet when he was hit. 

"The trauma that my cousin had, it wouldn't have saved him," Torres said. "He would have still had the same damages."

Mendoza died on Sunday, two days after the crash. 

"He fought," Torres said. "My cousin fought."

Pomona police say that the driver stopped following the crash to cooperate with their investigation, and that they're still working to determine exactly what caused the crash. 

Neighbors who live on the street where the crash happened say that drivers often ignore the several school zone speed limit signs, even during the busiest time of the day — when kids get out of school. 

Mendoza's family asks that drivers be more aware of children who ride e-scooters and e-bikes, especially near schools. 

"Kids need to be safe on scooters and e-bikes and wear helmets, but also as drivers, we need to be responsible," Torres said. "We need to take into consideration speed limits, school zones. Because a lot of times, we don't."

The family has started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs for Angel, which can be found by searching for the keywords: "Help Angel's Family During His Healing Journey."