Angel Roman Mendoza Lopez, 13, Killed in Pomona Electric Scooter Collision on San Antonio Avenue; Driver Cooperates as Family, Cousin Karen Torres Mourns Boy Who Dreamed of Being Police Officer.

POMONA, Calif. – It is with profound sadness that the Pomona community mourns the death of Angel Roman Mendoza Lopez, a 13-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short following a collision between an electric scooter and a car on a quiet afternoon. The incident, which occurred on April 17 on San Antonio Avenue, just north of Franklin Avenue, has left his family, friends, and classmates heartbroken and struggling to comprehend the sudden loss of a child so full of promise.

Angel was doing something countless teenagers do every day: riding his electric scooter to visit a friend after school. It was a routine errand, a brief journey that should have ended in laughter and shared time. Instead, it ended in catastrophe. Despite the rapid response of emergency crews and the best efforts of medical professionals, Angel succumbed to severe head injuries. His death is a devastating reminder of how quickly joy can turn to grief on the roadways.

The Collision: A Life Cut Short on San Antonio Avenue

According to preliminary reports from the Pomona Police Department, the crash occurred on the afternoon of April 17 on San Antonio Avenue, a thoroughfare that runs through a mixed residential and commercial area of the city. The specific location, just north of Franklin Avenue, is not far from local schools and parks — places where children on bikes, scooters, and skateboards are a common sight.

Angel Roman Mendoza Lopez was riding his electric scooter, heading to visit a friend, when he was struck by a vehicle. The impact was severe. Witnesses in the area reported hearing a loud crash followed by the sound of a child crying out. Within minutes, emergency responders — including paramedics and police officers — arrived at the scene. They found Angel lying in the roadway, unconscious and suffering from traumatic injuries, with a particular focus on his head.

The paramedics worked swiftly, stabilizing him as best they could before transporting him to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts and the subsequent work of trauma doctors, Angel’s injuries proved insurmountable. He was later pronounced dead, leaving his family to receive the worst news any parent can imagine.

The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the scene — a detail that authorities have confirmed. The driver has been cooperating fully with investigators, providing statements and submitting to standard procedures such as sobriety testing. As of now, no charges have been filed, and the Pomona Police Department has stated that the investigation is ongoing. They are working to determine factors such as speed, right-of-way, visibility, and whether any distractions played a role.

A Beloved Child: Remembering Angel Roman Mendoza Lopez

Beyond the police reports and the tragic circumstances lies the story of a boy — a 13-year-old with a bright smile, a warm personality, and dreams that stretched far into the future. Angel Roman Mendoza Lopez was not a statistic; he was a son, a cousin, a friend, and a student. Those who knew him describe a young man who was kind, enthusiastic, and full of life.

His family has shared that Angel dreamed of becoming a police officer. This was not a passing fancy but a genuine aspiration. He had already taken part in a cadet academy, a program designed to introduce young people to law enforcement principles, discipline, and community service. Angel took the training seriously, showing up early, working hard, and impressing his instructors with his determination. He wanted to serve and protect — a noble goal for someone so young.

In addition to his law enforcement ambitions, Angel loved soccer. He played with passion and energy, whether on an organized team or in a pickup game with friends. His enthusiasm was infectious; he was the kind of player who cheered on his teammates, chased down every ball, and celebrated every goal as if it were the winning score of a championship. Soccer was not just a sport for Angel; it was an expression of his joy and his competitive spirit.

Family members recall a boy who was deeply connected to his loved ones. He was affectionate, often hugging his parents and telling them he loved them without being prompted. He had a warm personality that drew people to him. Teachers and classmates remember him as someone who was respectful, curious, and always willing to lend a hand.

The Cousin’s Recollection: Karen Torres Speaks of a Life Full of Love

Among those who have spoken publicly about Angel is his cousin, Karen Torres. In an emotional statement shared with local media and on social media, Torres painted a vivid picture of the boy she lost.

“Angel was full of life and kindness,” Torres said. “He had this way of making you feel special, even if you were just sitting next to him. He didn’t need big gestures. He just needed to be with people he loved.”

Torres recounted a heartbreaking detail: On the day of the accident, Angel had spoken to his mother shortly before leaving home. He told her he loved her — those simple, powerful words that now echo with unbearable weight. “He always said ‘I love you’ before he walked out the door,” Torres shared. “But that day, those words mean everything.”

She also noted that Angel was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. This is a detail that the family has mentioned not as a matter of blame but as a grief-stricken observation — a reminder of how small decisions can have life-altering consequences. “We want other kids to learn from this,” Torres said. “Angel would want that. He would want others to be safe.”

Torres described Angel’s dream of becoming a police officer and his participation in the cadet academy. “He looked up to officers. He wanted to help people. He had a uniform and everything. He would practice standing at attention. It breaks my heart that he never got to wear a real badge.”

The Aftermath: A Family in Mourning, A Community in Shock

The death of a child is a unique and devastating form of loss. For Angel’s parents, the days since April 17 have been a nightmare from which they cannot wake. They are left to plan a funeral instead of celebrating a graduation, to choose a headstone instead of buying a first car. Their home, once filled with the sounds of a teenager — music, video games, laughter — is now painfully quiet.

Siblings, if any, are grappling with the absence of a brother. Extended family members are flying in or driving from across California to offer support. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate their grief, but they have also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support.

The Pomona community has rallied around the family. A makeshift memorial has appeared at the intersection of San Antonio Avenue and Franklin Avenue — flowers, candles, a small soccer ball, and notes written in a child’s handwriting. Neighbors who did not know Angel have stopped to pay their respects, moved by the tragedy of a life lost so young.

Local schools have offered grief counselors for students and staff. Angel’s classmates are struggling to process the news. For many of them, this is their first experience with the death of a peer. Teachers have described tearful classrooms and difficult conversations about safety, loss, and the importance of cherishing every day.

Fundraising Efforts: Helping the Family Lay Angel to Rest

Funeral expenses can be overwhelming, particularly when a death is sudden and unexpected. In response, a fundraising effort has been created to assist Angel’s family with the costs of burial, memorial services, and related expenses. The campaign, organized by family friends and shared widely on social media, has already received an outpouring of donations from the community and beyond.

Organizers have emphasized that every contribution, no matter how small, helps relieve some of the financial burden so that the family can focus on grieving and honoring Angel’s memory. The funds will go toward a funeral home, a casket, a burial plot, transportation, and a potential headstone. Any remaining funds may be used for a memorial scholarship in Angel’s name — perhaps for a student interested in law enforcement or soccer.

Those wishing to donate can find the official fundraiser through verified links shared by family members and local news outlets. The family has warned against fraudulent campaigns and urged donors to confirm the authenticity of any solicitation.

The Investigation: Pomona Police Seek Answers

The Pomona Police Department continues to investigate the collision. While the driver has remained at the scene and is cooperating, investigators have not yet released a determination of fault or any potential charges. Standard protocols include:

· Forensic examination of the scene: Crash reconstruction experts measure skid marks, vehicle resting positions, scooter debris, and points of impact.
· Review of surveillance footage: Police are likely canvassing San Antonio Avenue for security cameras from homes, businesses, and traffic cameras.
· Witness interviews: Anyone who saw the collision or the moments leading up to it is being asked to come forward.
· Vehicle inspection: The car involved will be inspected for mechanical issues, and the driver’s phone records may be reviewed for distraction.
· Scooter analysis: The electric scooter will be examined to determine its speed capability and whether any mechanical failure contributed.

Authorities have not disclosed whether speed, impairment, or distraction were factors. They have also not released the identity of the driver, which is standard practice when no charges have been filed. The investigation could take weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the evidence.

The Pomona Police Department has issued a public appeal: anyone with information about the collision — especially anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen Angel riding his scooter beforehand — is urged to contact the department’s traffic division. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

The Helmet Question: A Painful Reminder for All Families

One detail that has emerged from the family’s statements is that Angel was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The mention of this fact is not intended to assign blame to Angel or his family; rather, it is a grief-stricken acknowledgment of a decision that, in hindsight, had devastating consequences.

Electric scooters have grown enormously in popularity among teenagers. They are convenient, fun, and relatively affordable. However, they can reach speeds of 15 to 20 miles per hour — fast enough to cause severe head trauma in a collision. Helmets are proven to reduce the risk of head injury by more than 50%, yet many young riders choose not to wear them, citing discomfort, appearance, or simply forgetting.

Angel’s family has bravely chosen to share this detail in the hope that other families will learn from their loss. “Please, make your kids wear helmets,” Karen Torres said. “Angel would want that. He would want other kids to be safe.”

The tragedy has sparked conversations on social media and in local parenting groups about scooter safety, helmet laws, and the responsibility of both riders and drivers. California law requires helmet use for all minors operating electric scooters, but enforcement is inconsistent. For many families, this tragedy may serve as a wake-up call.

Broader Implications: Teen Safety on Electric Scooters

The death of Angel Roman Mendoza Lopez is not an isolated incident. Across the United States, emergency rooms have seen a sharp increase in electric scooter-related injuries, particularly among adolescents. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of scooter-related injuries occur annually, with head injuries being among the most common and most severe.

Cities like Pomona have grappled with how to regulate scooters — whether through speed limits, designated lanes, or mandatory helmet laws. Yet regulations can only do so much. Education and parental involvement remain critical. Angel’s death is a tragic case study in how quickly a routine after-school trip can turn fatal.

Local safety advocates have called for increased helmet distribution programs in schools, as well as educational campaigns targeting both young riders and drivers. “Drivers need to be aware of scooters and bikes, especially near schools and residential areas,” said one advocate. “And kids need to understand that a helmet is not optional. It’s the difference between life and death.”

How to Honor Angel’s Memory

In the wake of such a loss, many people want to do something — to help, to remember, to ensure that Angel’s death was not in vain. The family has suggested several ways:

· Donate to the funeral fundraiser to help ease the financial burden.
· Wear a helmet — and make sure your children do, too.
· Drive carefully in residential areas, especially near schools and parks.
· Support local youth soccer programs or police cadet academies in Angel’s name.
· Share Angel’s story to raise awareness about scooter safety.

A memorial service is being planned. Details will be announced by the family once arrangements are finalized. In the meantime, the small shrine on San Antonio Avenue continues to grow — a testament to a boy who touched many lives in his 13 years.

Conclusion: A Bright Light Extinguished Too Soon

The death of Angel Roman Mendoza Lopez at just 13 years old is a heartbreaking loss for his family, his friends, and the entire Pomona community. He was a boy who loved soccer, dreamed of becoming a police officer, and had the warmth to tell his mother he loved her before walking out the door. He was riding an electric scooter to visit a friend — an ordinary act on an ordinary afternoon — when a collision with a car on San Antonio Avenue, just north of Franklin Avenue, ended his life.

His cousin, Karen Torres, remembers him as full of life and kindness. His family is left to grieve, supported by a community that has wrapped its arms around them. The Pomona Police Department continues to investigate, and the driver remains cooperative. But no investigation can bring Angel back.

As the sun sets over Pomona, the candles at the memorial flicker. A soccer ball rests against a lamppost. A handwritten note reads: “Angel, we will never forget you.” And in homes across the city, parents are hugging their children a little tighter and asking, “Did you put on your helmet?”