TX Man Shaun Waits ID’d As Rider In Monday Bridgeport Fatal Motorcycle Crash

WISE COUNTY, TX. (THECOUNT) — Shaun Allan Waits, 56, of Weatherford, Texas, was identified as the victim in a fatal motorcycle crash Monday morning in Wise County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Waits was operating a Harley-Davidson motorcycle southbound on Farm-to-Market Road 920 near Private Road 3738 near Bridgeport at approximately 7 a.m. when the single-vehicle crash occurred.

According to a preliminary investigation by DPS, Waits was traveling at an unsafe speed when he approached a curve in the roadway.

Investigators said the motorcyclist failed to negotiate the curve, causing the Harley-Davidson to leave the roadway.

The motorcycle subsequently went down, and Waits sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

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

Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, however Waits was pronounced deceased at the crash site.

No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

The Texas Department of Public Safety continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.

Officials have not released any additional information regarding contributing factors beyond the preliminary finding that unsafe speed played a role in the crash.

Wise County is located in North Texas, approximately 40 miles northwest of Fort Worth. The county includes a network of rural highways and farm-to-market roads that are frequently used by motorists and motorcyclists traveling between smaller communities throughout the region.

Weatherford, where Waits resided, is located in neighboring Parker County, roughly 30 miles southwest of the crash scene. The city serves as the county seat of Parker County and is part of the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Motorcycle crashes continue to be a significant safety concern across Texas. According to data released by the Texas Department of Transportation, 557 people were killed in motorcycle crashes statewide during 2025, while another 2,468 suffered serious injuries. State transportation officials report that, on average, two motorcyclists lose their lives each day on Texas roadways.

Safety experts note that rural roadways can present unique hazards for riders, including sharp curves, changing road surfaces, limited visibility and higher travel speeds. Single-vehicle motorcycle crashes frequently occur when riders are unable to successfully negotiate curves or roadway transitions.

While investigators have not indicated whether any other factors contributed to Monday’s collision, DPS confirmed that Waits was not wearing a helmet when the crash occurred. Texas law permits certain riders to operate motorcycles without helmets under specific circumstances, though transportation safety agencies continue to encourage helmet use due to its proven effectiveness in reducing the severity of head injuries during crashes.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is expected to complete a full review of the crash, including an examination of roadway conditions, vehicle evidence and witness information, if available.

Anyone who may have observed the motorcycle prior to the crash or has information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact authorities.

Google Maps: FM 920 Near Private Road 3738, Wise County, TX

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