A 16-year-old Bridgewater resident died Tuesday night after the electric scooter he was riding collided with a Tesla Model Y, according to Bridgewater Township police.
Officers responded at approximately 6:31 p.m. to the intersection of Union Avenue and Adamsville Road for reports of a crash involving an electric scooter. When police arrived, they found a disabled Tesla in the intersection and the teen lying in the roadway.
"The juvenile was unresponsive and not breathing. Officers immediately initiated CPR and other life-saving measures, which continued until Robert Wood Johnson paramedics arrived," police said in a statement.
The teen was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerville, where he later died from his injuries.
A preliminary investigation found that the Tesla, driven by a 38-year-old Bridgewater woman, was traveling westbound on Union Avenue and attempting to turn left onto Adamsville Road. At the same time, the 16-year-old was riding an electric scooter eastbound on Union Avenue and proceeded straight through the intersection, police said.
Police said the Tesla struck the teen as it turned left through the intersection.
The Tesla driver suffered minor injuries and was also transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment.
The crash remains under investigation by the Bridgewater Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 908-722-4111, ext. 4133, or submit tips through the Bridgewater TIPS line at 877-660-9134.
In a letter posted on its website, Bridgewater-Raritan High School shared the news of the teen's death.
"With deep sadness, we share that last evening the BRHS community has suffered the traumatic loss of one of our students," the school said. "This loss deeply saddens us, and our crisis management procedures are in place to support children as they respond to this tragedy."
School officials encouraged parents to "listen carefully" to children if they have questions or express anxiety "about death in general."
"It is beneficial to accept and validate your child's feelings," officials said in the letter.
The district is making counselors available to assist the school community with the grieving process, and families are urged to contact the school counseling office with additional questions.