An 18-year-old Kamloops man died in hospital care after he was found near an e-scooter with critical injuries last weekend. According to Kamloops RCMP, the man was found near Battle Street and Lee Road just before 4 a.m. on Aug. 16, and was quickly transported to hospital by B.C. Emergency Health Services. An online petition against e-scooters identified the teenager as Hunter Dennis, and confirmed he succumbed to his injuries days later on Aug. 20. The petition urges the city of Kamloops to end shared-rental e-scooter operations and withdraw from B.C.’s electric kick scooter pilot project as soon as possible to prevent further tragedies. “Now is the time for us to stand together and advocate for a safer city. Hunter’s memory should inspire us to create a community where such accidents are preventable rather than inevitable,” petition starter Luke Grigg wrote. The cause of the incident is actively under investigation by the B.C. Coroners Service and Kamloops RCMP. Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said officers attending the scene found and seized the scooter, but didn’t find a helmet, “suggesting he may not have been wearing one at the time.” “There is no evidence to suggest that another vehicle was involved,” Shoihet added. “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends as they navigate through this unthinkable tragedy.” Anyone who saw the incident has been asked to call the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and quote file number 2026-27084.
