Parents of teen killed in crash while riding moped scooter speak out

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The parents of the young boy killed in a crash while riding his motorized vehicle Friday night are speaking publicly for the first time.

13-year-old Dominiq Puentes died at the hospital after colliding with a truck at Bullard and Palm Avenues in Northwest Fresno.

"His life was cut really short... he didn't even get to fully really start living it," said Puentes' father, Brandon Escobedo. "He loved his mom - he was a mama's boy. He loved his family. He loved to hang out with his cousins."

Puentes' parents say he was riding a moped scooter with one of his cousins when the crash happened. The 12-year-old was left critically injured.

Just two days later, Fresno police say another teen was seriously injured after crashing a pocket bike -- also known as a miniature motorcycle -- into a car in Central Fresno.

The incidents come amid safety concerns surrounding young people riding motorized scooters and bikes.

Exactly one week before Puentes' death, Fresno State announced it is banning them on campus come August.

Puentes' parents support the decision, and they say it should go further than that.

"Why are they banned on school sidewalks, but not on these roads? These lanes are not big enough for a bike, an e-bike. This city isn't big enough for e-bikes, or mopeds, or whatever," said Brittany Escobedo, Puentes' mother.

The city says there are laws in place to help prevent these types of tragedies.

"If it is a street-legal motorcycle, then they have to have a license to even be on that," said Fresno Police Sergeant Michael McCray.

And the recent crashes have raised questions about parental responsibility.

Fresno County's District Attorney says for parents to be held criminally liable; they would have to have been notified their child was driving recklessly or breaking the law.

"Once those parents receive those notices from whoever it is, a neighbor, a friend, somebody who might see them engaging in that behavior, they really need to put the lid on it," said Fresno County's District Attorney, Lisa Smittcamp.

Puentes' mother tells Action News she did not purchase the moped for her son.

"And that's why I said no; because the same bike he wanted took his life," she said.

"Police say both adults and children need to follow the rules, and I agree. Law enforcement should enforce those rules, pull our kids over if needed. Save a life. As parents, we'd rather see care and prevention than judgement," Puentes' father said.

As Puentes' family grieves, they have a message for other parents.

"Take them away. There's absolutely no safety in any of them," said Brittany Escobedo.

Puentes leaves behind his parents and five siblings.

The family has organized a GoFundMe to cover his funeral expenses.