Casey Michael Smith was a man who lived for the thrill of the open road and the quiet intensity of the wilderness. Known across West Texas as a passionate outdoorsman and an expert hunter, his life was cut short this past weekend. On a quiet Sunday morning in Midland, the 41-year-old’s final ride on his beloved Harley-Davidson ended in a tragedy that has left the local community in shock.
The accident happened just as the city was still asleep, around 2:42 a.m. Smith was riding his 2013 Harley-Davidson southbound on State Highway 349, not far from West County Road 270. It was a typical late-night ride through the Permian Basin, a landscape Smith knew well. However, something went wrong as he navigated the long stretch of highway that connects Midland to the surrounding oilfields.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Smith failed to keep his motorcycle in a single lane of travel. Investigators say the front tire of the bike caught a strip of gravel along the edge of the pavement. That small patch of loose rock was enough to send the heavy motorcycle off the road. Once the bike left the pavement, it struck a pole with significant force.
The impact was devastating. Emergency responders arrived at the scene quickly, but there was nothing they could do for the Midland resident. Smith was pronounced dead right there on the shoulder of SH 349. Thankfully, no other vehicles were involved in the crash, and no one else was hurt, but the loss of life has left a massive hole in the hearts of those who knew him.
Beyond his love for motorcycles, Smith was a man of the wild. His public Facebook profile tells the story of a person who felt most at home in the great outdoors. He was a dedicated big-game hunter who traveled far and wide to track majestic animals. Photos shared with friends and family show him posing with lions and bears, a testament to his skill and his respect for the raw power of nature.
State Highway 349 is a familiar route for many in the region, serving as a lifeline for the local energy industry. It’s a road that sees a lot of heavy commercial traffic and oilfield equipment, making it a challenging path even for experienced riders. The highway is known for its long, open stretches and shoulders that can change quickly from solid pavement to loose gravel, which seems to have played a role in this weekend’s event.
Right now, state troopers are still trying to piece together exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. They haven’t said yet if speed or the weather were factors, or if there were any mechanical issues with the Harley. They also haven’t released information on whether Smith was wearing a helmet or if other factors like impairment played a part. These investigations often take time as experts look at every piece of evidence from the scene.
For the people of Midland, the news is a heavy reminder of how quickly things can change. Casey Michael Smith was a man who embraced life with both hands, whether he was on his bike or out in the woods. While the investigation continues, his friends and fellow hunters are left remembering a man who wasn’t afraid to go where the wild things are.
