Teenager jailed for seriously injuring cyclist in Welwyn Garden City
19 year old Jay Rosario's e-scooter collided with a woman last year
A teenager has been jailed for a year after seriously hurting a cyclist after colliding with her in Welwyn Garden City.
It happened as 19 year old Jay Rosario from Hatfield rode an e-scooter in Rideway last July.
Rosario, of Days Close, Hatfield, fled the scene after the collision but was arrested a day later and subsequently charged.
He pleaded guilty to causing serious injury whilst disqualified, failing to stop at a collision, failing to report a collision, driving whilst disqualified and possession of cannabis.
Rosario was sentenced to 12 months in prison following a hearing at St Albans Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 16 April). He was also handed a two-year driving ban upon release, and ordered to pay a £167 victim surcharge.
Detective Constable Boris Kahn, from the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit, said: “Not only did Rosario’s careless riding cause a serious collision, which the victim continues to recover from today, he also fled the scene and failed to report it.
“This case shows the dangers e-scooters can pose, and I would like to issue a reminder that it is against the law to ride e-scooters on public land anywhere in the county. They can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.
“While they can be used on public land as part of a government trial, there are currently no trials taking place anywhere in Hertfordshire.”
Inspector Amy Sheldon, from the Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, added: “We carry out regular patrols in Welwyn Hatfield and are targeting those who use e-scooters in this area.
“If you are caught riding one on a public highway, pavement or cycle lane it could be seized by the police. You could also be reported for driving offences which would lead to significant penalty points and a fine.”