AUGUSTA, Ga. — Larry Tesseo, 55, died Tuesday after being struck by a pickup truck while riding an electric scooter — a sudden loss that’s left a quiet neighborhood reeling and raised renewed questions around road safety.
Officials say the crash occurred on Tuesday when Tesseo was riding his electric scooter across Peach Orchard Road at its intersection with Harding Road. As he traversed the roadway, a southbound pickup truck struck him.
Emergency crews rushed him to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:50 p.m. Coroner Mark Bowen confirmed that the fatal injuries he sustained in the collision caused his death.
Tesseo, a resident of Augusta, is being mourned by family, friends, and neighbors — individuals many described as kind, soft‑spoken, and someone who often chose the scooter for convenience or necessity. Local community members said the news hit home hard, especially among those who commute on wheels or on foot.
In the wake of the crash, some residents voiced concerns about pedestrian and scooter‑rider safety along Peach Orchard Road — a thoroughfare used by many and often busy. The accident spot near Harding Road, they said, lacks adequate crosswalks or clear scooter‑friendly infrastructure, making crossings feel risky.
Officials with the Richmond County Coroner’s Office continue investigating the crash to determine any potential contributing factors, including visibility, traffic conditions, or possible right-of-way violations. As of now, no charges or further public details have been announced.
As Augusta grapples with this loss, Tesseo’s death serves as a painful reminder: roads can be unforgiving, especially for those relying on alternative means of travel. The community now mourns a life stopped too soon — and questions linger about whether enough is being done to protect its most vulnerable travelers.
