The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the injuries to a 12-year-old boy while he was riding his bicycle in the 400 block of Rockwell Blvd on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at approximately 5:38 p.m.

Preliminary information at the scene revealed that the boy, while on his bicycle, attempted to grab a hold of a pickup truck being driven by his mother. The boy apparently lost his balance and crashed, striking his head on the pavement. Emergency personnel responded and observed the boy bleeding profusely from his head. The boy was transported via Care Flight to a local hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries.

The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public that attaching to a vehicle upon a roadway is prohibited; no person riding upon a bicycle, electric bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself or herself to any vehicle upon a roadway (NRS 484B.773). This act is unlawful as well as an extremely high-risk behavior in children and adolescents that leads to significant morbidity, long-term disability, and is potentially fatal. The incidence of attaching to a vehicle occurs far too often. Therefore, refraining and discouraging this high-risk behavior in children and adolescents should be a considered. See attached document for more laws pertaining bicycles and bicycles on the roadways.

It anyone has additional information on this accident; please contact the Sheriff’s M.A.I.T. Office at 775-328-3350.