IA Teen Identified As Victim In Saturday Des Moines Fatal Motorcycle Crash

DES MOINES, IA. (THECOUNT) — A motorcyclist has died following a crash on an Interstate 235 exit ramp in Des Moines, Iowa, the Des Moines Police Department said. He was 19 years old.

Officers and other emergency personnel responded to a report of a crash on the Interstate 235 westbound exit ramp to 19th Street just after 2:15 a.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival, first responders found the young man suffering from critical injuries.

First responders immediately began life-saving measures at the scene and continued those efforts in the ambulance en route to a local hospital. Despite those efforts, the motorcyclist was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Based on witness accounts and physical evidence gathered at the scene, investigators determined the motorcyclist was likely traveling at an excessive rate of speed when he lost control. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle upon impact. The motorcycle subsequently caught fire as it came to a stop on the exit ramp.

The cause of the crash remains under active investigation by the Des Moines Police Department.

About Des Moines and Polk County

Des Moines is the capital and most populous city in the state of Iowa, located in Polk County in the south-central part of the state. The greater Des Moines metropolitan area is home to approximately 700,000 residents, making it one of the largest metro areas in the Midwest. Interstate 235 is a major east-west interstate spur that runs through the heart of Des Moines, connecting the western suburbs to the downtown core and serving as one of the city’s primary commuter corridors.

Fourth Fatal Crash of 2026

The Des Moines Police Department confirmed this crash is the fourth fatal traffic incident in the city in 2026 and the first fatal motorcycle crash recorded in Des Moines this year.

Anyone with information about this crash is encouraged to contact the Des Moines Police Department.

DEVELOPING::