14-Year-Old Arrested After E-Bike Fleeing at Big Pine Key Intersection

A 14-year-old Big Pine Key male was taken into custody after he fled from a Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy at the intersection of Key Deer Boulevard and U.S. 1 at approximately 6:50 p.m. on March 4, 2026. Deputies say two electric bikes drove through the intersection as a deputy was turning onto Key Deer Boulevard from U.S. 1, forcing the deputy to brake to avoid a collision.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the deputy activated emergency lights to stop the riders, but both fled southbound. One rider attempted to cut through a gravel parking lot, wiped out and was arrested on the spot, while the other rider remained at large as the investigation continued. Authorities reported no injuries from the crash or the encounter.

The arrested juvenile has been charged with fleeing and eluding. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office officials said the incident remains under investigation and that more arrests or charges may be pending as deputies search for the second e-bike rider. Deputies did not release a name for the 14-year-old, and no additional traffic citations were listed in the initial releases.

Sheriff Rick Ramsay weighed in on enforcement and policy after the arrest: “These e-bikes are popular, but they remain largely unregulated and can be dangerous.” Ramsay added that he hopes state lawmakers “addresses this soon and enacts laws that improve safety and help law enforcement.” The Sheriff’s Office also warned riders about legal consequences, saying, “riders should be aware of and follow all normal traffic laws or face being fined or worse — arrested.”

Law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions are reporting similar juvenile e-bike incidents, illustrating enforcement challenges and potential policy options. Rancho Cordova police reported a separate case in which a 14-year-old reached about 55 mph on an electric dirt bike during a Feb. 10 pursuit, leading to the bike being towed and a citation to the rider’s parent for allowing an unlicensed minor to operate the vehicle. Lee County deputies described separate Fort Myers incidents in which two teens were tracked by an aviation unit and detained at a home, with deputies citing reckless behavior including wheelies and near-misses with pedestrians; Lee County body-worn camera captured a deputy asking, "How many times do deputies have to tell you to stop or turn on lights and sirens for you guys to stop?"

Monroe County investigators say they continue to pursue the outstanding rider and to review patrol video and incident reports. Sheriff Ramsay has urged the Florida legislature to consider clearer e-bike rules as deputies enforce existing traffic laws on the islands while the probe proceeds.