Travis Collins Killed in Motorcycle Accident on FM 1788 in Midland, TX
Midland, TX — July 13, 2022, 32-year-old Travis Collins was killed in a motorcycle accident at a Midland intersection.
According to reports the incident happened around 7:45 a.m. at the crossing of FM 1788 and Younger Rd. Preliminary investigation suggests Collins was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle north on FM 1788 when he approached a red light at Younger. He allegedly pulled onto the shoulder to avoid stopped vehicles in his land and continued northward, entering the intersection. A southbound Dodge pickup truck made a protected left turn into his path toward eastbound Younger and the motorcycle hit the truck.
Collins suffered fatal injuries in the collision. No other injuries were reported.
The investigation is ongoing. No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Travis Collins Accident on FM 1788 in Midland
Reports suggest the victim may have made a reckless move that sadly led to the crash. If he really pulled onto the shoulder to try and run a light, then the crash--while tragic--may well have been mostly his doing.
However, before anyone shrugs and closes the book on this matter I think it's best that investigators consider any and all other possible explanations for what happened here. Some may not see how there could be alternatives to the story police came up with, but has anyone checked to see if the motorcycle's brakes were functional? Can anyone be sure the victim didn't swerve at the last second to avoid someone that cut him off or braked suddenly ahead of him? Did anyone consider whether he was awake, alert, and in a normal state of mind at the time?
I'm aware that the simplest explanation here is basic operator error, but it's neither just nor prudent to jump to a conclusion and stay there without first doing the job properly and looking at other possibilities--if for no other reason than to rule them out. At the very least the victim's loved ones deserve to know that no stone was left unturned when seeking answers for them. Will police take the necessary steps to see that a grieving family gets the full story?
