Friends gather to mourn Elizabeth teen killed while riding E-scooter

Friends of an Elizabeth teen killed while riding an electronic scooter gathered at the accident site for a prayer vigil.

Nelson Miranda Gomez, 16, was killed Wednesday while riding the Lime scooter on Elizabeth Avenue. Authorities say that it was around 8 p.m. and that he was riding alongside a tow truck, when the truck made a right, striking the boy and killing him.

Dozens of teenagers gathered at the site to pray, light candles and pay their respects.

“He was there for me. He was there for many people,” says friend Jaqueline Miranda.

Friends say that Gomez was a good friend, religious and a lot of fun.

“He was a good kid…We were really close. He was like a brother to me,” says Henry Buso.

Lime has only been operating in Elizabeth for a few weeks. The company issued a statement following Gomez’s death.

“We are absolutely devastated by this tragedy and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. We are in close contact with Elizabeth officials and stand ready to assist in any way we can,” a Lime spokesperson said in a statement.

But there are now calls from the public for Elizabeth to end its partnership with the scooter company. They say that Elizabeth is not a place for e-scooters.

“It’s very dangerous here, in this area,” says one Elizabeth resident. “I’ve been here like 20 years in Elizabeth, and I know that this is not good.”

Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage issued a statement offering his condolences and stating that the Elizabeth City Council “will discuss the parameters of its relationship with Lime.”