A fatal hit-and-run crash on Interstate 35W in Fort Worth claimed the life of a motorcyclist in the predawn hours of Saturday, January 17, 2026. Fort Worth police and fire department units responded to the southbound lanes of the interstate just before East Belknap Street at approximately 2:45 a.m. after reports of a major collision. Upon arrival, emergency crews found a motorcyclist who had been thrown from the bike; the person was pronounced dead at the scene by responding medical personnel.
The preliminary police investigation revealed a chain-reaction crash that began when a pickup truck struck the motorcycle from behind. This initial impact caused the motorcycle to crash, ejecting its rider onto the roadway. In a devastating secondary phase, the downed motorcyclist was then struck by at least one other vehicle. Police have classified the incident as a hit-and-run, as the driver of the pickup truck that caused the initial collision failed to stop and fled the scene.
Authorities have publicly appealed for information to help locate the suspect vehicle and its driver. Investigators released a description of the pickup truck, stating it is a late 1990s to early 2000s model Chevrolet single-cab pickup, colored in charcoal gray or primer black. The Fort Worth Police Department’s Traffic Investigation Unit has asked anyone with information to contact detectives directly.
The fatal crash had significant immediate repercussions for morning traffic. To allow for a thorough investigation and crash scene cleanup, police shut down all southbound lanes of Interstate 35W at Pharr Street. The full closure lasted for an extended period during the early morning hours, causing substantial delays until the lanes were eventually reopened.
As of the latest updates, the identity of the deceased motorcyclist has not been officially released to the public. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office is responsible for the formal identification and will release the name once next of kin notifications are complete. The investigation by the Fort Worth Police remains active and ongoing as they work to locate the hit-and-run driver.
This tragic incident on a major Texas interstate underscores the severe and often fatal consequences of leaving the scene of an accident. It also highlights the complex dangers motorcyclists face on high-speed roadways, where an initial collision can quickly lead to secondary impacts. The community awaits further details as police continue their search for the driver responsible.