Susan Bartlett was riding a PGO scooter when she was hit by an SUV in Northeast Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Local scooter clubs took to Portland streets Wednesday night to pay tribute to one of their own.

Susan Bartlett was riding a PGO scooter when she was hit by an SUV at Northeast Tillamook Street and 40th Avenue around 9 p.m. Friday. The 66-year-old woman, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was rushed to a hospital but died during surgery.

Portland police issued the driver a citation for an improperly executed turn.

Riders heading to the vigil at the scene of the accident. #koin6news pic.twitter.com/LJsXPUD7hr — Velena Jones (@velenajones) September 5, 2019

Dozens of people on scooters gathered Wednesday night to remember Bartlett and raise awareness for road safety. They rode from St. Johns to Northeast Portland, where they held a candlelight vigil and a moment of silence.

Bartlett’s friends remembered her as a passionate, strong-willed and thoughtful woman.

Related Content Woman on motor scooter dies after being hit by SUV

“We are all gathering because we loved Sue and that is a worthy reason to gather but we are also gathering because we want her death to not be in vain,” said Bartlett’s friend Linda Martinson. “We want to see changes that make all of us safer.”

Those who knew Bartlett said she was an activist and environmentalist. Her brother told KOIN 6 News they want to use the tragedy to make significant changes in road safety.

“Drivers, please be fully aware of motorcycles, motor scooters, and bicycles on the road! Share the road and be safe with for everyone’s life and safety,” said Bill Chin, a speaker at the vigil. “Sue’s head on collision could have been avoided if the driver noticed her and waited a few more seconds.”

Bartlett’s family released a statement with the following:

“The public knows what reckless driving is, but too many car drivers do NOT know what CARELESS and AWARE-LESS Driving is. Two wheelers know: we are being hurt, maimed and killed by CARELESS and AWARE-LESS Driving. These are not accidents, they are preventable. There is Mindfulness and there is MindlLESSness. Driving into a scooter in its own lane with the right of way head-on is MINDLESS driving.”

The family is also questioning the circumstances surrounding Bartlett’s death and the ongoing investigation. They hope to work with local scooter riders to brainstorm ways to take action.

“We have all benefited from Sue’s generosity, compassion and unrelenting pursuit of social and environmental justice. Sue drove an ecological scooter, Sue practiced what she preached, and preached what she practiced a little bit louder. She was difficult at times, but difficult because she cared and wanted to fix what was not right, she always wanted to go further, and she persisted to her untimely end. What would Sue do next? Sue would brainstorm on how to take this to a higher level in pursuit of transformative change, to make our streets safe for all vehicles. We don’t know precisely how, but what Portland is doing now is not working, is not sufficient. Portland Vision Zero is One Eyed Blind. In New York we joke about New Jersey as being the Right Right Right state, or the No Left Turn State. Now we know why. ”