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# Kamloops Residents Petition to End E-Scooter Pilot After Safety Concerns
- URL: https://www.thecanadareport.ca/kamloops-escooter-petition/
- Published: 2026-08-27T02:39:28.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-27T02:45:34.000Z
- Description: Kamloops e-scooter death prompts a petition seeking withdrawal from B.C.’s pilot project amid growing safety concerns.
- Author: Steve Cogbill
- Tags: Daily News, British Columbia

| Sourced from 5 independent sources · no points in dispute |
| --------------------------------------------------------- |

cfjctoday.com (1), Vancouver Sun, CityNews Vancouver, CTV News, and cfjctoday.com (2)

Every key fact in this report is confirmed by more than one independent source.

9 key facts · 9 corroborated · none disputed

This summary is compiled from the independent sources listed above.

A fatal e-scooter incident in Kamloops has pushed one family’s grief into a wider local debate about whether the city should remain part of B.C.’s electric kick scooter pilot project.

The rider, publicly identified as 18-year-old Hunter Dennis, died in hospital after suffering critical injuries in an incident near Battle Street and Lee Road early on Aug. 16\. Kamloops RCMP have said there is no evidence another vehicle was involved, and police did not find a helmet at the scene.

## Hunter Dennis remembered

Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said the rider “suffered critical injuries and was later pronounced dead in hospital.” In another statement, Shoihet said, “There is no evidence to suggest that another vehicle was involved.”

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends as they navigate through this unthinkable tragedy,” she added.

Dennis was remembered publicly by Sonja Thomson, who wrote on Facebook about the loss of her son.

“For those who had the privilege of knowing Hunter and sharing in his journey, you know the beautiful soul he was,” Thomson wrote. “Hunter carried such a kind and generous heart, and his presence touched the lives of so many in ways that will never be forgotten.”

She added: “There are no words that can truly express the depth of the pain we feel in losing our precious son. Our hearts are shattered, and we will forever wish for more time, more moments, more memories with him.”

## Police and coroners investigate

The B.C. Coroners Service and Kamloops RCMP are investigating the incident.

Police said no helmet was located at the scene. Shoihet said that suggested Dennis may not have been wearing one at the time.

The circumstances of the incident have not been publicly laid out beyond the basic details released by police: it happened early on Aug. 16 near Battle Street and Lee Road, involved an e-scooter, and there is no evidence another vehicle was involved.

## Petition calls for withdrawal

A petition started by Luke Grigg calls on Kamloops to withdraw from B.C.’s Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project to prevent further tragedies.

Grigg wrote that e-scooter use “compromises public safety” and urged the city to act.

“Now is the time for us to stand together and advocate for a safer city,” he wrote. “Hunter’s memory should inspire us to create a community where such accidents are preventable rather than inevitable.”

Davison, quoted by CFJC Today about Grigg’s petition, said he was “angry and saddened by the incident.”

“So he decided that he wanted to bring this to the attention of hopefully a member of city council at some point, and he felt that a petition would be helpful,” Davison said.

She also described concerns she has heard about how some riders use e-scooters.

“They are riding without helmets, without safety gear, without an understanding of the rules of the road,” Davison said. “They double on them, they have…they’re intoxicated at times. It’s just very dangerous.”

## Safety debate grows

Kamloops participates in the provincial Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project, which is scheduled to run until 2028.

Health data cited in the reports show e-scooter injuries are increasing in B.C., adding pressure to an already emotional conversation in Kamloops.

“These scooters are not a toy. If you fall, you can hurt yourself,” Dr. Silvina Mema, Interior Health’s deputy chief medical health officer, said in the source reporting. “The most common injuries are broken bones, particularly the upper part of the body, and also concussions. This is why wearing a helmet is mandatory.”

Dave Johnson, executive director of the Kamloops Brain Injury Association, said the province should hear more from the public and from groups that deal with injury prevention and recovery.

“I think the government should have a public consultation to be honest,” Johnson said. “Do we make it like a motorcycle where you need special licensing or do we make it like a regular bicycle where you have to wear a helmet? I think that’s an open question, but let’s talk about it.”

Davison said she does not claim to have simple answers, but hopes Dennis’s death leads to a serious community discussion.

“We need to make sure our children are safe and our young adults are safe,” she said. “I don’t have the answers, Luke doesn’t have the answers but if we can come together as a community and discuss this, maybe we can come up with some solutions and make our roads safer.”

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[*Source 1*](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/08/26/teenagers-death-prompting-new-conversations-about-e-scooter-safety-in-kamloops/?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 2*](https://vancouversun.com/news/young-e-scooter-rider-dies-in-kamloops?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 3*](https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/08/25/bc-e-scooter-incident-man-dies/?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 4*](https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/kamloops-teenager-died-in-hospital-care-after-early-morning-e-scooter-incident/?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 5*](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/08/24/kamloops-rcmp-bc-coroners-investigating-after-teenager-killed-in-e-scooter-accident/?ref=thecanadareport.ca)

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