BOWIE, Montague County, Texas, Sept. 27, 2026 — A 12-year-old boy died, and a 14-year-old was left in critical condition Friday night, September 25, after the UTV they were riding in crashed near Bowie, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. A 43-year-old, reportedly the driver, suffered only minor injuries.
Three people were riding in the UTV as it traveled eastbound on Hildreth Pool Road, DPS said. Troopers said the driver swerved to avoid another vehicle, lost control, ran off the roadway, struck a tree, and the UTV caught fire.
The 12-year-old boy died at the scene, according to the agency. The 14-year-old was airlifted to Cook Children's Medical Center in critical condition. The driver, described as 43 years old, was treated for minor injuries, DPS said.
The crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not released further details on the identities of those involved or the vehicle the UTV swerved to avoid.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
When Off-Road Vehicle Crashes Are Most Likely to Turn Deadly
UTV and ATV crashes involving young riders tend to cluster around evenings and weekends, when kids are out of school, and families use rural roads and open land for recreation. Fading light in the early evening hours cuts down on how quickly a driver can spot another vehicle, a curve, or a soft shoulder, and reaction time shrinks along with visibility.
Warm-weather months and weekend nights also bring more UTVs onto shared roadways at the same time as passenger vehicles and trucks, raising the odds of a close call that forces a driver to swerve. Because UTVs sit lower, are lighter, and lack the crash structure of a car, a sudden move off pavement, into a ditch, or into a fixed object like a tree tends to end worse than it would in a standard vehicle.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 300 reported off-highway-vehicle deaths were among children younger than 16 in the agency's latest safety summary in 2022. That figure reflects how often young riders are on board when these crashes happen, whether as drivers or passengers, and why age and time of day both factor into how investigators review these cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does speed change how survivable a UTV crash is?
Yes. Lower speeds give a driver more time to react to an obstacle or another vehicle, and they reduce the force involved if the UTV leaves the road or hits something fixed, like a tree.
Why do restraints matter in UTV crashes?
UTVs are prone to rollovers and sudden stops. Seat belts and, where equipped, harness systems help keep riders inside the vehicle and away from the impact point, lowering the chance of being thrown clear or against part of the vehicle.
What should a family do after a fatal UTV crash?
Families are typically directed to the investigating agency, in this case the Texas Department of Public Safety, for updates on the report and any next steps. Requesting a copy of the crash report once it's finalized is usually the first practical step.
How do agencies investigate a crash like this?
Troopers or deputies typically document the scene, interview witnesses and any surviving occupants, and reconstruct the vehicle's path to determine what caused it to leave the roadway. Findings are compiled into an official crash report, often available to families and the public once complete.
What to Do After a UTV Crash in Bowie, TX
Anyone involved in a UTV crash, or a family member of someone who was, should make sure every occupant gets a full medical evaluation, even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain from internal injuries or fractures for hours after impact.
It's also worth requesting the official crash report from the investigating agency once it's completed, and keeping records of any hospital visits or treatment. If children were involved, families may want to ask the agency directly about the timeline for finishing the investigation and what information will be made public.
