A teen was caught on fire during a motorcycle crash after running a red light. It happened when two local teens were riding their dirt bikes near a Target shopping centre in California. One of them, 16, ignored the traffic signal and collided with a car at the intersection.
The impact was immediate and terrifying; his dirt bike erupted into flames, setting both the bike and the teen briefly on fire. The incident was caught on video, which quickly went viral after it was shared online. According to Salinas police, the crash took place on the evening of October 30. The collision occurred near the rear passenger door of the car, leaving extensive damage in its wake.
Remarkably, the teen walked away from the scene with only a broken ankle. His friend, who was also on a dirt bike, rushed to help, pulling the burning clothing off his companion when the initial stop, drop, and roll did not extinguish the flames.
The situation could have ended far worse. Dirt bikes are not street legal, and riding them through traffic at high speed creates a dangerous mix. Both teens were cited for their infractions and released to their parents.
The woman driving the car suffered significant losses. A GoFundMe set up shortly after the crash explained that her vehicle, recently purchased less than a week before the accident, was completely destroyed along with her personal belongings.
She sustained injuries requiring hospitalisation but was thankfully discharged in stable condition. Still, she now faces the combined burden of medical recovery and the loss of her car and possessions. Her sister explained the aftermath: “The crash left her injured, and the impact caused her car and all of her belongings inside to catch fire and burn completely. She had recently purchased the car less than a week ago, depleting all her savings — every dollar she had diligently earned.”
