TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — What takes most students just minutes to ride to class left one Tampa family with a lifetime of heartbreak.
Michelle Lynch’s son, Connor, tragically lost his life in an e-scooter accident near the University of South Florida in February 2024. At the time, the 19-year-old sophomore had just decided to pursue a major in entrepreneurial business.
“Connor was full of life, and full of promise,” Lynch said.
On the night of the crash, Connor was heading back to his apartment on his scooter when a car turned left in front of him. He was unable to stop.
USF Police Chief Chris Daniel said from 2023 to 2025, officers responded to 29 scooter-related accidents on campus.
Doctors at Tampa General Hospital are all too familiar with the aftermath of such accidents. A study conducted by USF professors in 2023 documented nearly 300 e-scooter injury cases treated at TGH.
Dr. Jose Diaz, a trauma surgeon at TGH, remarked, “If you’re brought to my hospital due to an e-bike injury, there’s a 10 to 15 percent chance you’ll be admitted and a 40 percent likelihood that surgical intervention will be necessary.”
Diaz said many riders also wear the wrong helmets, which are not designed for the speeds scooters and e-bikes can reach.
For Lynch, reliving her son’s story is painful, but she believes sharing it is necessary.
Michelle reflected, “The loss of a child is a pain beyond words. Sharing this story is crucial to prevent another family from experiencing the sorrow that we face daily.”
This week, AAA introduced the Safe Streets for Small Wheels initiative at USF. The campaign’s goal is to enhance awareness about scooter and e-bike safety on Florida campuses.
