Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
A driver faces multiple charges after police say she chased a minor e-biker for several blocks in North Florida.
Julia Kalthof, 65, of Palm Coast, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and reckless driving, the Miami Herald reported Friday. She was also cited for driving on a multi-use path and released on a $3,000 bond.
The incident happened on June 7 in Palm Coast, about a 60-mile drive south from Jacksonville, when emergency responders got a 911 call from a man reporting an erratic SUV driver following an e-bike rider on a multi-use path. Luckily, a Good Samaritan in another car blocked Kalthof’s SUV, allowing the 14-year-old biker to escape, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release.
As he was being chased, the minor, later identified as Gaige Ellis, was trying to wave down other drivers for help while Kalthof’s car was about 6 to 10 feet behind him. In interviews with local media, Gaige told reporters he was scared.
“I went around her and got on the bike path, and she flipped a U-turn and got on the bike path with me, which really scared me because I was not expecting that,” he said.
When talking to police, Kalthof allegedly told deputies she was angry at the teen for “riding his e-bike too fast” and was following him to find out where he lived so she could speak to his parents.
“This woman caused a dangerous situation … and could have seriously hurt or killed not just the child she was chasing, but anyone who happened to be walking or biking on that path,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in the news release.
Florida Law
E-bike riders are allowed to ride wherever regular bicycles are allowed, according to state law. This means they are allowed to be in bike lanes, multi-use paths, roadways, shoulders and sidewalks. Additionally, when these e-bikes are on the road, they must adhere to general traffic laws. If a rider is under 16 years old, they must wear a helmet. While it is advised for all riders to wear a helmet, there is no requirement for all riders to wear one.
What could have ended in tragedy on June 7 was fortunately averted thanks to the quick thinking of a Good Samaritan.
While the immediate danger in this case stemmed from the reckless actions of a driver, Leesfield & Partners’ Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, has long expressed concerns about the growing number of incidents involving e-bikes — particularly those operated by minors on multi-use paths not designed for high-speed travel. As a personal injury law firm, Leesfield & Partners has seen firsthand how these situations can escalate quickly and dangerously.
This incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for community awareness, responsible e-bike usage, and shared respect on public paths. We applaud the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office for acting swiftly and hope this case leads to broader discussions on improving safety for all riders and pedestrians.
Such discussions and a need for reform has been proposed by Mr. Leesfield in various Op-Eds and articles throughout the years. In a recent article published in the Daily Business Review, Mr. Leesfield called the lack of proper helmet, insurance, or age requirements “helter-skelter.”
“This inadequately describes the scope of the issue that drivers, pedestrians, people with disabilities, bicyclists and other vehicle operators experience daily,” he said in the article. “These e-bike and e-scooter riders behave as though their headphones are a body shield, protecting them and others from harm. In reality, it is quite the opposite.”
Leesfield & Partners
Leesfield & Partners, the personal injury law firm founded by Mr. Leesfield in 1976, brings decades of expertise in personal injury litigation. From bicycle accidents to pedestrian crashes, and other motor vehicle incidents, the firm has successfully handled a wide range of injury cases, many of which have led to record-breaking settlements and verdicts statewide. Recognized both locally and nationally, the firm continues to make a significant impact on public safety, working tirelessly to protect future generations.
In regularly speaking out about issues like those he has seen with e-bikes, Mr. Leesfield has become a public safety advocate. Through initiatives like the safety advisories displayed on the digital sign outside the firm’s Miami office on U.S. 1 — a major commuter route — he raises awareness on critical safety concerns. Additionally, through The Leesfield Family Foundation, Mr. Leesfield partners with local organizations to tackle pressing issues such as impaired driving, pedestrian safety, and more, reinforcing his commitment safety.
Previous Cases
A case involving a bicyclist who was hit while stopped on the shoulder of the Overseas Highway in Key West resulted in a $5,350,000 settlement for the client. In that case, the bicyclist who was stopped on the side of the road was hit by a driver who was distracted by their car’s GPS.
A pedestrian-involved incident handled by the firm resulted in the maximum recovery amount of $6 million awarded to our injured client. In that case, a woman was walking back to her office following a mid-day break when she was struck by a truck making an illegal left turn whose driver claimed not to see her in the marked crosswalk. The woman had severe injuries including skull fractures and brain hemorrhages as a result of the driver’s negligence.
For a Toronto family, a vacation to Fort Myers turned into a nightmare after a pickup truck driver failed to see a young wife and mother attempting to cross the street. Leesfield & Partners attorneys recovered an $8.5 million settlement for the family following a $27 million arbitration award.
Another pedestrian-involved incident handled by the firm resulted in a $2.9 million recovery.
The firm previously recovered $3 million for a mother and son injured in a bicycle incident.
