Phoenix Teen Catches Fire After Running Red Light and Crashing Dirt Bike Into Car
PHOENIX, ARIZONA — Police say a 16-year-old boy was injured after running a red light and crashing his non-street-legal dirt bike into a car in Phoenix, briefly catching fire along with his bike. A 15-year-old friend who was also riding a dirt bike nearby was not seriously hurt.
Police: Teens Were Riding Dirt Bikes Not Allowed on Streets
According to the Phoenix Police Department, the incident occurred when the two teenagers rode their dirt bikes through a busy intersection against a red light. The 16-year-old reportedly sideswiped a woman’s car, causing both him and his bike to ignite briefly on impact.
Witnesses captured part of the scene on video, showing flames erupting on the road as stunned drivers pulled over to help. The teen managed to roll away from the fire as bystanders rushed to call emergency services.
Teen Sustains Broken Ankle; Second Rider Unharmed
Authorities said the 16-year-old suffered a broken ankle and minor burns, while the 15-year-old accompanying him escaped serious injury. Both teens were evaluated by paramedics at the scene before being cited for multiple traffic infractions related to operating unregistered, off-road vehicles on public streets.
Police said the woman driving the car involved in the crash was not injured.
Dirt Bikes Not Permitted on City Streets
Officials emphasized that off-road dirt bikes are not designed or permitted for public roadways, citing safety risks and a lack of necessary equipment such as headlights, turn signals, and license plates.
“Incidents like this are preventable,” said a Phoenix police spokesperson. “Riders, especially young ones, need to understand that non-street-legal vehicles are dangerous in traffic environments.”
NEW: Teen catches fire after running red light and crashing into car in Phoenix
Police say a 15- and 16-year-old were riding non-street-legal dirt bikes
The 16-year-old sideswiped her car, and both he and the bike briefly caught fire
He suffered a broken ankle
The 15-year-old… pic.twitter.com/4ewv5E7E0O
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) November 12, 2025
Teens Released to Parents After Citations
After receiving citations, both teens were released into the custody of their parents. Police have not released their names due to their ages.
Authorities urged parents to monitor teen riders closely and ensure they use designated off-road trails rather than city streets.
Community Reminder About Road Safety
The crash comes amid a growing number of illegal dirt bike incidents reported in Arizona cities, where police say young riders often treat urban roads like open trails. Officials are reminding the public that reckless riding can lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
The investigation remains ongoing, though police say no criminal charges are expected beyond the traffic citations.
Have you witnessed reckless off-road vehicle use in your area? Share your experience and road safety concerns with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
