A 15-year-old on a motorbike was killed in Springdale on Thursday evening when he was struck by a car driven by 55-year-old Rafael Flores, according to the Springdale Police Department.
The crash happened around 7:30 p.m. on May 9 along the 2000 block of South Kimbrough Avenue, just north of the intersection with West Maple Street. Police say the teen was riding the motorbike in the roadway when Flores, driving a Dodge Charger, hit him. The juvenile, whose name hasn’t been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Officers responding to the scene said the roadway was dry and visibility was clear at the time of the crash. Preliminary investigation suggests the teen was operating the motorbike without headlights and may have been riding in the roadway rather than on the shoulder or sidewalk. The Arkansas State Police is handling the official accident reconstruction, and no charges have been filed yet.
Neighbors said the area — a mix of residential homes and older apartment complexes — is often busy with kids riding bikes and scooters, especially in the evening. Some said they weren’t surprised to hear a crash happened on Kimbrough, a street that connects several neighborhoods but lacks sidewalks in parts.
“This road sees a lot of foot traffic, a lot of kids,” said Maria Gonzalez, who lives a few blocks from the crash site. “I’ve seen teenagers on bikes and scooters all the time. It’s dangerous, especially when it gets dark.”
The Springdale Police Department said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam or security footage from the area around 7:30 p.m. is asked to contact police at (479) 750-8000.
For families in Springdale, especially those living near Kimbrough Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods, the incident is a grim reminder of the risks younger riders face on streets where traffic and infrastructure don’t always mix well. Springdale schools have long emphasized bike and pedestrian safety, but the city’s older neighborhoods weren’t built with dedicated bike lanes or wide sidewalks.
The loss has hit close to home for many in the community. While officials continue to investigate, neighbors have begun leaving flowers near the site — a quiet acknowledgment of a young life cut short on an ordinary Thursday evening.
Source: 5News KFSM
