A juvenile operating an e-motorcycle was struck by a hit-and-run driver Tuesday afternoon on Mission Gorge Road in Santee, prompting an active investigation by the Santee Sheriff's Traffic Unit.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded at approximately 1:50 p.m. to the 10100 block of Mission Gorge Road after reports of a collision between a vehicle and a juvenile rider. Preliminary investigation determined the juvenile was traveling in the roadway — creating a traffic hazard — when struck. The impact caused the rider to lose control and fall from the e-motorcycle. Emergency personnel transported the juvenile to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle fled before deputies arrived. It remains unknown whether drugs or alcohol contributed to the collision, and the investigation is ongoing.

The incident highlighted a wider problem deputies observed firsthand: while responding to the crash, several additional juveniles on e-motorcycles fled the area by riding over center medians and into oncoming traffic, nearly causing additional collisions. Deputies did not pursue those riders, as they were on scene solely in response to the original crash.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run driver is urged to contact the Santee Sheriff's Station at (619) 956-4000. Anonymous tips can be submitted to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.