Midland, TX (May 14, 2026) – A 21-year-old man died following a late-night collision involving a dirt bike and an SUV at an intersection in Midland, according to police.
The Midland Police Department said officers responded around 10:42 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Raymond Road and Cedar Spring Drive after reports of a serious crash involving a 2006 Nissan Murano and a 2023 Yamaha YZ250FX dirt bike.
When emergency crews arrived, they found the dirt bike in the intersection and the Nissan Murano nearby with heavy passenger-side damage. Authorities also located the dirt bike rider, identified as 21-year-old Luke Quentin Palacios, suffering from life-threatening injuries near the crash scene. He was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital, where he later died.
Preliminary findings indicate Palacios was traveling southbound on Raymond Road at a high rate of speed at the time of the collision. Investigators said the Nissan Murano had been traveling westbound on Howard Street and had stopped at a stop sign before proceeding through the intersection toward Cedar Spring Drive. The dirt bike then collided with the passenger side of the SUV.
Officials noted that the Yamaha dirt bike involved in the crash was not street legal.
The crash remains under investigation by the Midland Police Department.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Luke Quentin Palacios during this difficult time.
Dirt Bike Crashes on Public Roadways
Crashes involving dirt bikes on public streets can result in severe injuries due to limited protection for riders and the high speeds often involved in roadway collisions. Non-street-legal dirt bikes may lack safety features required for use on public roads, including lighting and signaling equipment.
Authorities encourage riders to operate only properly equipped vehicles on public roadways and to obey all traffic laws. Drivers are also reminded to remain alert at intersections and watch carefully for motorcycles, scooters, and other smaller vehicles approaching from different directions.
Investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fatal Midland crash.
