Boy dies following mini-bike crash

BATTLE CREEK — An 11-year-old Battle Creek boy died Monday after being hit by a truck while riding his mini-dirt bike July 11, the Battle Creek Police Department said in a news release Wednesday.

The boy was originally listed in stable but critical condition following the crash on Spaulding Avenue.

The Battle Creek Police Department and the Battle Creek Fire Department responded to a report of a traffic crash with a serious injury shortly before 7:15 p.m. July 11, near the intersection of West Spaulding Avenue and Ashland Avenue.

Through interviews with witnesses at the scene, police were able to determine the boy was riding a Coleman mini-dirt bike northbound on Ashland Avenue, when he turned to travel eastbound on West Spaulding Avenue. Once the boy was on Spaulding, he was hit by a 2003 Ford F250, that was also traveling eastbound on Spaulding. Officers identified the driver of the truck as a 41-year-old Battle Creek man.

One of the witnesses at the scene shared that they watched the 11-year-old boy ride his bike onto West Spaulding Avenue, disregarding the yield sign for his direction of travel, and then turn directly into the path of the oncoming truck, that was not able to stop in time before hitting the boy on his bike, police said.

In addition to police, the BCFD’s Engine 5 also arrived at the scene of the accident. The Engine 5 crew, with the assistance of Rescue 2’s crew, provided treatment and CPR to the boy, who was in cardiac arrest with serious injuries.

The boy was transported by LifeCare Ambulance to Bronson Battle Creek Hospital.

This incident is still under investigation by the BCPD, and a crash reconstruction team was also called to the scene to assist with the investigation.