Bowlus, MN (May 21, 2026) – A 15-year-old girl from Rice was hospitalized Wednesday evening after her dirt bike struck a car that was turning left into a driveway in rural Morrison County. The collision happened roughly three miles southeast of Bowlus. The teen was thrown from the bike and hit the car’s windshield.
She was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The girl was taken to St. Cloud Hospital, where the extent of her injuries was not immediately known, while the driver of the car was not hurt, and no charges had been filed as of the initial report on the accident.
The wreck remains under review as more details are gathered. We wish the young rider a full and swift recovery.
What Drivers and Riders Should Know About Left-Turn Crashes Involving Motorcycles and Dirt Bikes
Left-turn collisions are among the most common types of crashes involving motorcycles and smaller two-wheeled vehicles. When a driver turns left across oncoming traffic, they must judge the speed and distance of any approaching vehicle. Smaller bikes can be harder to see than cars, and their speed is often misjudged, particularly on rural roads where traffic is light and drivers may not expect fast-moving vehicles. A dirt bike or motorcycle offers very little protection in a collision, so even a relatively low-speed impact can throw a rider and cause serious harm. Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries significantly, but they do not protect the rest of the body. Road surface, visibility, and the angle of a turn all factor into how these collisions unfold.
