Des Moines, IA (June 02, 2026) – A 47-year-old Des Moines man was hurt late Monday night, June 1, after his motorcycle was struck at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and Second Avenue. The collision happened at approximately 11:10 p.m.
Adam May was riding a 2002 Yamaha motorcycle westbound on Euclid Avenue when he accelerated away from a trooper who had attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. May continued at high speed, making unsafe passes before attempting to cross the intersection at Second Avenue against a red light, when a northbound 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, driven by a 69-year-old Des Moines man, then struck his motorcycle.
May was thrown from the bike and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The driver of the Monte Carlo was not listed among those hurt in the accident. No additional injuries were reported.
The wreck remains under investigation, and further details will follow as they are confirmed. We hope May receives the care he needs as he recovers from his injuries.
What to Know About Crashes Involving Fleeing Motorcyclists in Iowa
When a motorcyclist flees from law enforcement, the risk of a serious crash rises sharply. High speeds, red-light violations, and erratic lane changes reduce the time available for other drivers to react and create danger for everyone on the road. A motorcycle traveling at elevated speed through an intersection against a signal is particularly vulnerable, as cross-traffic has no warning of the approaching vehicle.
Iowa law treats eluding law enforcement as a criminal offense, and any crash that results from a pursuit may lead to additional charges depending on the circumstances. Investigators typically reconstruct the sequence of events using witness accounts, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence from the scene. The presence of a red-light violation is often a key detail in establishing fault and intent.
For other drivers, crashes of this type can happen with almost no warning. A vehicle running a red light at high speed gives cross-traffic only a fraction of a second to react, which is rarely enough time to avoid a collision.
