Salem , OR : 18-year-old Joshua Robertson killed after falling backward and hitting his head and on Monday ,April 27 2015

A Salem teenager died after falling backward and hitting his head as he fell from his longboard.

A friend of 18-year-old Joshua Robertson called police to report the accident around 12:30 p.m. Monday along Eagle Crest Road NW.

Robertson wasn't wearing a helmet while riding his longboard, and crashed when he attempted to make a turn. He fell backward, striking his head. The teen was hospitalized and later pronounced dead.

He and his friend were riding on that street because of the hills.

The area is popular with longboarders. It's so popular that riding on the next street over has been outlawed.

One longboard rider said the accident was a tragedy and could have been prevented.

"If you're going to go skate on a live road, I mean a helmet is a must," Jed Johnson said. "Also, knowing how to stop, knowing how to slide. It's easy to Google it, YouTube it -- how to stop, how to slide."


source :
Salem teen dies after hitting head in longboard accident