A cross, flowers, and candles now sit beside N 60th Street in Loxahatchee and West of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in memory of the teen who died last week in a trail bike accident.
It’s been a week since the tragic trail bike accident that killed 16-year-old Warren Vanderplate.
WFLX Reporter Zitlali Solache spoke with Vanderplate’s sister who said despite the pain, she wanted to celebrate her brother’s memory.
According to Palm Beach County deputies, the teen was riding his trail bike and tried to pass the car ahead — but was hit by another vehicle coming from the opposite end.
They said this was a no-ride zone for trail bikes.
“I didn’t believe it,” Warren’s friend Devin Elliott said. “I still don’t believe it. I still don’t believe it.”
We stayed on this story and exclusively spoke with Kaitlyn Vanderplate, the victim’s sister.
“He’s always so positive, and he was like a daredevil,” shared Vanderplate. “He always wanted to do the most adventurous things, climb the highest trees.”
She stood by the scene, remembering his life.
“I remember this one time we went to my dad’s beach, and he found like a perfect conch shell and came up to me and said, ‘Here, it’s for you.’”
Elliott adds Warren is loved by many people. He and Vanderplate loved riding trail bikes from a young age.
“He was a great kid; he was a loving kid. He always had a big heart for people and others,” shared Elliott.“It was a surprise because I knew him. I used to ride dirt bikes with him when I was younger. It’s something that we used to do, and he died doing it.”
According to deputies, Vanderplate was wearing a helmet. His sister wanted to honor Warren with one last message.
“I would tell him I’m proud of him, and it was a pleasure being his big sister,” stated Vanderplate.
The Importance Of Road Safety
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by cyclists on public roads. According to statistics from local authorities, accidents involving bicycles have been on the rise in recent years, prompting calls for better infrastructure and safer road designs.
Advocates argue that cities must invest in dedicated bike lanes and improved signage to protect cyclists and reduce the likelihood of similar incidents.
In response to growing concerns about cyclist safety, officials are considering various initiatives aimed at enhancing awareness and education among both drivers and cyclists. These initiatives may include public service campaigns focused on sharing the road responsibly and respecting traffic laws.