TX Man Mickey Mobley ID’d As Rider In Sunday Miles Motorcycle-Vs-Deer Collision

RUNNELS COUNTY, TX. (THECOUNT) — Mickey Dale Mobley, 63, of Odessa, Texas, was identified as the victim in a fatal motorcycle crash Sunday night after striking a deer on Farm-to-Market Road 2333 in Runnels County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Mobley was operating a 2012 Yamaha motorcycle northbound on FM 2333 at approximately 8:56 p.m. Sunday when the collision occurred about five miles south of County Road 394 near Miles.

According to a preliminary investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a deer entered the roadway from the left side and crossed into the path of the motorcycle.

Investigators said the Yamaha struck the animal, causing the motorcycle to overturn and skid off the right side of the roadway.

Mobley was ejected from the motorcycle during the crash.

Authorities reported that he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

Emergency responders transported Mobley to Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo for treatment of serious injuries sustained in the crash.

Despite medical efforts, Mobley succumbed to his injuries. Officials said he was pronounced deceased by a physician at 10:41 p.m. Sunday.

No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

The Texas Department of Public Safety noted that weather conditions were clear and the roadway was dry at the time of the collision.

The crash remains under investigation.

Deer-related crashes are a recurring concern on rural Texas highways, particularly during evening and overnight hours when visibility is reduced and wildlife activity increases. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in such collisions because they lack the structural protections available to occupants of passenger vehicles. Even relatively low-speed impacts with large animals can cause riders to lose control and be thrown from their motorcycles.

FM 2333 runs through a largely rural portion of Runnels County in west-central Texas. The county is located approximately 50 miles southwest of Abilene and includes extensive agricultural and ranching areas where encounters with wildlife are common.

Odessa, where Mobley resided, is located in Ector County in the Permian Basin region of West Texas, approximately 150 miles west of the crash site. The city serves as a major center for the oil and gas industry and is one of the largest communities in the region.

Shannon Medical Center, where Mobley was transported following the collision, is a regional trauma and healthcare facility serving much of West Texas and the Concho Valley area.

Texas DPS investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash. No additional information has been released regarding the incident.

The collision serves as another reminder of the hazards posed by wildlife crossings on rural roadways, particularly for motorcyclists traveling after dark. Authorities routinely advise drivers and riders in rural areas to remain alert for sudden animal movements, especially during dawn and dusk hours when deer activity tends to increase.

Google Maps: FM 2333, Runnels County, TX

DEVELOPING::