Who is Colton Remsburg? Mom urges Orange County for stricter rules after son's death on e-scooter
Colton Remsburg's mom wants e-bikes, e-scooters banned for kids
A Florida mom is advocating for stricter rules and safety requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters after her 13-year-old son died in a crash. Ashley LaChance, the mother of 13-year-old Colton Remsburg, told FOX 35's Amy Kaufeldt that she wants e-bikes and e-scooters banned for kids 14 and under. If that cannot happen, she believes there needs to be helmet requirements, speed limits, and fines. Colton was on his e-scooter when he was hit by a truck on moss Road in Lake Nona, FHP said.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - One week after Colton Remsburg, 13, died following a crash with a pickup truck while on an e-scooter, his mom, Ashley LaChance, urged county commissioners to create stricter rules regarding mobility device usage.
Colton's mom is pushing for minors operating micromobility devices – such as e-bikes or e-scooters – to know the rules of the road before they operate the motorized device.
Colton Remsburg, 13, died after crashing into a pickup truck on May 10. (Source: GoFundMe)
Who is Colton Remsburg?
What we know:
Colton Remsburg, 13, who attended Innovation Middle School in Lake Nona, was known as a kind and energetic person who loved making people laugh. Colton's teammates on his flag football team – who honored him during their May 15 game – remembered him as someone who always kept a smile on their faces.
Colton died after days in the hospital, on Tuesday, May 12, following a crash involving a pickup truck. Colton was riding an e-scooter at the time of the incident, around 4 p.m., May 10 – Mother's Day. Colton's mom, Ashley LaChance, planned to have a relaxing day at the beach with her family for Mother's Day. She texted Colton the night before with her plans, LaChance told FOX 35's Amy Kaufeldt.
Orange County commissioners' meeting on May 19, 2026.
On his way to get Mother's Day flowers
According to LaChance, Colton's friend texted him to see if he wanted to go to the store to get Mother's Day flowers.
LaChance was returning from the beach, on her way to pick Colton up to go to Disney World, when she heard Colton was hit by the car.
"My whole world just changed. Completely. In seconds," LaChance said.
It's not known how fast Colton was riding on his e-scooter, but Florida Highway Patrol confirmed Colton rode into traffic and hit the truck. Colton got the e-scooter for Christmas, his mom said. The speed went up to 28 miles per hour, she said.
"I always made sure – every day before I sent him off – be safe, look both ways, text me when you get to school. I want to know that you are there," LaChance said.
He was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
"I don't even know how I got to the hospital," LaChance said. "I don't remember that drive. … I got there and the doctor looked at me and said, "We have to take him in for an emergency craniectomy right away."
After surgery, LaChance was told the pressure in Colton's brain was so high, it wasn't compatible with life, she said.
"I prayed and prayed and prayed. The whole community did. … I felt it," LaChance said. She was so sure Colton would live.
During the last eye check on Colton, Tuesday night, LaChance looked at him.
"I knew right then and there, my baby was not in that body," she said.
Watch: Mom shares her story on Good Day Orlando
Colton Remsburg's mom wants e-bikes, e-scooters banned for kids
A Florida mom is advocating for stricter rules and safety requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters after her 13-year-old son died in a crash. Ashley LaChance, the mother of 13-year-old Colton Remsburg, told FOX 35's Amy Kaufeldt that she wants e-bikes and e-scooters banned for kids 14 and under. If that cannot happen, she believes there needs to be helmet requirements, speed limits, and fines. Colton was on his e-scooter when he was hit by a truck on moss Road in Lake Nona, FHP said.
Advocating for change
Now, Orange County officials are revisiting its micromobility device rules. which currently state that all micromobility devices – e-bikes and e-scooters included – must travel no faster than 10 miles an hour.
However, following Colton's death, commissioners are considering requiring helmets, setting speed limits, and/or instilling fines to help enforce e-bike and e-scooter safety among kids and teens.
LaChance wants to see e-bikes and e-scooters banned for children under the age of 14.
"I don't believe these things should even be on our roadways," she said.
She advocated for mandatory helmets, saying she believes the outcome would have been different if Colton was wearing a helmet.
"I know – I'll take full accountability for this – that this was my son's fault," LaChance said. "He willingly went out into traffic."
Mom wants e-bike safety classes after son's death
The mother of 13-year-old Colton Remsburg, who died after his e-bike crashed into a truck, is advocating for safety classes and enhanced measures into e-bikes and e-scooters. The boy's mom, Ashley, spoke Tuesday during an Orange County Commission meeting. County leadership are also considering options to increase e-bike safety, such as a county-wide speed limit, safety classes, fines and citations, and parent warnings.
What they're saying:
While speaking before county commissioners on May 19, LaChance said she constantly reminded Colton to be safe and would ask him if he made it to school safely.
"I believe schools should seriously consider implementing some form of driver's-style education course or a certification requirement for e-scooters and e-bikes," she said. "Not because parents are failing, but because every additional layer of education matters."
LaChance said she felt the tug to share Colton's story with others.
"Colton would want that," she said. "If his story can save other kids in our community and beyond our community, I want to see that change."
The Source: Information in this story was gathered during an Orange County Commission meeting on May 19 and reporting by FOX 35's Alexus Cleavenger.