ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. –  A 4-year-old boy is dead and a man is injured after a motorcycle crash in St. Peters yesterday.

Both victims, however, were wearing helmets. 

It’s a tragedy that’s now raising serious questions about motorcycle safety for young passengers.  

Missouri law doesn’t set a minimum age for kids to ride on motorcycles, but experts say just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s safe. 

Police say the crash happened Sunday on Mexico Road in St. Peters.

FOX 2 was told that the driver of the motorcycle crashed into a utility pole, ejecting both riders. Following the incident, police are still searching for answers, but authorities say it raises serious concerns about safety.
 
“I don’t know that I’d recommend riding with children,” said Monty Ketch at Doc’s Harley Davidson. “I know that we’re probably going to go through with our kid on the bike and take him around the block or something, but anything could happen. I don’t recommend that necessarily at all.”

Authorities are urging motorcyclists to use caution on the roads, especially when riding with children but when a child is a rider, then experts suggest taking extra precautions.
 
“Definitely a helmet. I’m going to recommend an abrasive-resistant jacket, leather or good textile with some padding in the elbow,” Ketch suggested. “Gloves, leather gloves, something that’s going to be abrasive, resistant and some over-the-ankle boots and definitely long pants.”

Missouri has no minimum age requirement for a motorcycle passenger, and while  helmets are required for children, there are no specific standards on how a child should be secured.

“Are they tall enough to where their feet reach the foot Pedals? Can they sit comfortably in the saddle and not slide around a whole lot? Are they able to sit still and not squirm while they’re riding as a passenger on the motorcycle? Do they know how to hang on? Can you find the right safety gear that fits them properly so it can function properly?” Ketch asked.

St. Peters police say the investigation into the crash is ongoing, and so far, police have not released the names of the man or the child. 

The community continues to mourn the loss of a young life, and officials hope this tragedy serves as a reminder to make safety a top priority on the road.