WILMINGTON — Charges have been filed following a motorized bike incident that left a 5-year-old severely injured in Smith Creek Park earlier this month.
READ MORE: Navigating e-bike surge, Sen. Lee proposes regulation, advocates raise concerns
Camren Isaiah Creme, 18, was charged on April 14 with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. It’s a felony and Creme’s first appearance in court was scheduled for Tuesday, April 16. Judge Richard Kern increased Creme’s unsecured bond from $10,000 to $20,000.
Creme allegedly collided with a 5-year-old on April 2, according to Lauren Walsh, family friend of the injured child. Walsh witnessed the incident first-hand, as she was with the family during their Smith Creek Park outing.
She detailed to Port City Daily that the 5-year-old, who was on a scooter, suffered from a severe concussion, five fractures in his face and jaw, and a broken femur. The child was allegedly struck from behind by the dirt bike Creme was driving while the family was on a walking trail off Shenandoah Street.
A GoFundMe has been posted for the 5-year-old’s medical expenses, which details upon being hit he was flung through the air, and also bruised a kidney and had a seizure.
“When I looked at him, I mean, his eyes were rolled in two different directions, his face was starting to turn blue,” Walsh said. “He had no pulse, no breathing. It was terrifying. I have not gone through anything like this in my entire life.”
Walsh administered CPR on the victim as first responders made their way to the park. The victim, now out of the hospital, had to be airlifted from New Hanover Regional Medical Center to the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill over concerns with his head and neck.
“I don’t want to be scared on a walking trail,” Walsh said. “We were where we were supposed to be with our kids, and just to feel scared is a terrible feeling, and I just feel so fearful now, just knowing that something like that can happen so fast.”
Currently, New Hanover Parks and Gardens Department which oversees Smith Creek Park, lists that motorized vehicles, like dirt bikes and ATVs, as well as class 2 and 3 e-bikes, are prohibited for use in county parks. These rules and other park regulations are shown at the entrance of New Hanover County parks on large green signs.
Walsh expressed concern over the park signage, stating she was unaware of them detailing park rules as she made her way into Smith Creek Park. She has since been in contact with representatives of New Hanover Parks and Gardens about adding additional signage explicitly outlining motorized bike rules.
Tara Duckworth, the county’s park and garden director, advises anyone who sees someone operating a motorized vehicle in violation of park rules should contact the police.
“This was a tragic and preventable incident that has left a young child seriously hurt,” Sheriff Ed McMahon said in a release. “We urge the public to exercise extreme caution when operating any motorized vehicle, particularly in areas where children are at play.”
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