RICHARDSON POLICE DEPARTMENT 

The Richardson Police Department is investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle that occurred Monday evening.

At approximately 5:45 p.m. on August 24, 2026, Richardson Police responded to the intersection of Arapaho Road and the East Frontage Road of North Central Expressway regarding a crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle.

The preliminary investigation indicates the motorcycle and vehicle were northbound on the Frontage Road at Arapaho Road. The motorcycle attempted to drive straight through the intersection from an inside left-turn-only lane when it struck the driver’s side of the vehicle that was turning left to go west on Arapaho Rd. from an adjacent outside left-turn or straight option lane. The impact caused the motorcycle to strike a traffic signal pole, ejecting the motorcycle driver.

The motorcycle driver, identified as 28-year-old Elija Cazares Smith, was transported to a local hospital by Richardson Fire Department paramedics. Smith was later pronounced deceased. The driver of the vehicle was not injured.

The Richardson Police Department’s Special Crash Investigation Team responded to the scene and is conducting the ongoing investigation.