Helmets to be mandatory throughout Utah after another teen suffers e-bike crash in St. George

SALT LAKE CITY — Bella Prince is now home after suffering a devastating head injury in an e-bike crash, which hospitalized her for two weeks.

Her mother, Debbie Prince, said the fact that she survived the crash is a miracle; Bella Prince crashed into a retaining wall going 40 mph, then flew 25 feet down a cliff, landing on her head. A police officer witnessed the crash and called for help.

Like so many Utah teens do, Bella was riding her e-bike without a helmet. She decided to take a new route and found herself careening down a steep hill, unable to stop.

"Neurosurgeons were able to get her into surgery within an hour from the time of the accident — within that 'golden hour' for head injuries," Debbie Prince said.

She said Bella is doing miraculously well considering her injuries, but doctors expect lifelong side effects from the crash.

"I still see little signs of her, though," Debbie Prince said, "Like her humor."

Immediately following the initial five-hour surgery, Bella insisted on paper and a pen ... eventually writing, "Swig," Debbie Prince said.

She said Bella knows she should have been wearing a helmet.

"Bella told me, I understand now that I'm going to wear this scar for the rest of my life, that a helmet could have made the difference between life and death, between living with the outcome of this forever," she said, adding that she hopes this accident is a clear message to other parents and their teens.

"She would have had much less trauma if she would have had a helmet on," Debbie Prince said. "It would have made the hugest difference."

Legislation passed during the recent Utah Legislature makes helmets on e-bikes mandatory, not merely a suggestion.

"You have to wear a helmet. You have to have a license. You've got to have some training to ride on a road, like a driver's license," explained Rep. Paul Cutler, R-Centerville.

Cutler sponsored HB381, which passed both the House and Senate. Once signed by the governor, the new law will take effect May 6 and will require helmets for e-bike riders and give officers more power to enforce e-bike rules.

"If they're underage or riding one of these super-fast scooters that are not legal on roads, then the police can hold that until the parent comes and gets it," Cutler explained.

Previously, officers had to pursue charges and submit a bike as evidence to take it from a minor who had been violating the law.

Cutler said the inspiration for the bill came directly from hospitals and health care workers who are seeing a growing number of cases like Bella's.

The legislation will also create training materials for teens using e-bikes, available in 2027.

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