HOUSTON, Texas — A Houston-area teenager’s routine ride on her electric scooter turned into a fight for survival in a matter of seconds, and now she and her family are speaking out with an urgent message every parent and young rider needs to hear.
Halle Neely was riding her electric scooter without a helmet when she lost control during a turn, slamming the right side of her head directly into the ground. According to her mother, Heather Neely, there was no time to brace for impact. The force of the fall was immediate and catastrophic.
Her family rushed her to a nearby emergency room, where the severity of her condition prompted medical staff to arrange an emergency Life Flight transport to the Texas Medical Center. Multiple CT scans revealed what doctors feared — active bleeding inside her brain.
Pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Peter Yang performed the emergency brain surgery that ultimately saved Halle’s life. He noted that her case, while frightening, is far from rare. He has treated numerous young patients with serious head injuries sustained while riding electric scooters and e-bikes, and a striking pattern connects many of those cases — the riders were not wearing helmets.
Medical professionals emphasize that traumatic brain injuries vary widely in severity, ranging from mild concussions to life-threatening emergencies requiring surgery and extended recovery. In Halle’s case, she was fortunate. Doctors say she made a full recovery and is not expected to suffer any long-term effects.
But Halle and her family understand how differently this story could have ended.
Now recovered, Halle is using her experience to warn others. The family’s message is direct and urgent — no ride is short enough to skip the helmet.
Medical experts strongly advise parents to ensure children wear properly fitted helmets every time they ride electric scooters, e-bikes, bicycles, skateboards or any wheeled device.
The helmet Halle wasn’t wearing that day could have prevented everything. For the next rider, it still can.
