Marana, AZ (August 21, 2026) – An 11-year-old boy died on Thursday, August 20, after an SUV struck him while he was riding a bicycle near Midfield Rd and Hancock Dr. The accident occurred around 7:53 a.m. in the Gladden Farms area.
The child was wearing a helmet and riding east from W Hancock Dr when he entered an unmarked crosswalk on N Midfield Rd. A 2008 Ford Expedition traveling north struck him in the northbound lane. Bystanders had begun lifesaving efforts before emergency units arrived.
The boy was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and later pronounced dead. He was a sixth-grade student at Tangerine Farms K-8. The SUV driver remained at the site, and impairment was not believed to have contributed to the collision.
The roadway reopened after investigators examined the wreck. The circumstances surrounding the accident remain under review, and no citations or arrests have been reported. Our deepest condolences go to the boy’s family, friends, classmates, and all those grieving his loss.
Why Are Bicycle Crossings Near Roads Especially Risky?
Bicycle crossings can present safety challenges because cyclists and motorists may approach the same point from different directions. An unmarked crossing can also be harder for drivers to recognize, particularly when visibility is limited or traffic is moving quickly.
Children riding bicycles may have less experience judging vehicle speed and distance. Helmets can reduce the risk of severe head trauma, but they cannot prevent every type of injury.
Drivers can reduce risk by slowing down near residential streets, carefully checking for cyclists and pedestrians, and staying alert at intersections and crossings. Cyclists can improve visibility by using lights and reflective gear and by following applicable traffic rules.
