--- title: "This Dirt Bike Crash Is Another Case Against Multi-Directional Off-Road Trails" date: "2024-08-19" modified: "2024-08-19" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-dirt-bike-crash-is-another-case-against-multi-directional-off-road-trails" categories: - "Jeep News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Cherokee" - "Jeep" - "SUV" --- # This Dirt Bike Crash Is Another Case Against Multi-Directional Off-Road Trails ![Side-by-side image of moments before impact between dirt bike and Jeep Cherokee, as well as the aftermath with the bike crashed through the SUV's windshield.]() *\TCD News via Instagram\* Multi-directional off-road trails seem like a bad idea on paper and even worse when you're actually on the dirt. Whether you're coming around a blind corner or climbing over a blind crest, you want to be confident that there isn't a car facing you, going in the opposite direction. Especially if you're on a dirt bike, like this rider was in this terrifying [crash](). In this clip posted by *[TCD News]()* in Dearborn, Michigan, you can see the dangers of suddenly finding out that there's a car on the other side of a blind crest. (Warning: the video shows a graphic impact). The 21-year-old rider was heading over a small sand jump at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan on the afternoon of August 10. As soon as he got some air over the crest, he suddenly saw a [Jeep]() Cherokee right in front of him. There was no avoiding the collision since he was already in the air, and the green Kawasaki crashed into the windshield of the Jeep, while the rider was sent flying. > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by TCD News (@dearborn)]() Thankfully, the rider survived and is expected to make a full recovery, but he isn't without injury. He reportedly suffered a concussion, a compressed L2 vertebrae, and a small lung puncture. The 25-year-old Jeep driver was taken to the hospital, according to *[WOOD-TV]()*, but has since been released. “He cheated death right there,” Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast said of the dirt biker. “If he were a cat, you’d say he’s down one life for sure.” Technically, neither party was in the wrong. Since there's no speed limit, nor any directional rules at Silver Lake, both the driver and rider were doing exactly what they were allowed to do. However, this video proves just how careful you have to be there, or at any multi-directional off-road trail. Silver Lake is also where a [33-year-old woman was tragically killed]() in May when a drag-racing [Jeep CJ]() veered off course. With such trails, spotters are critical to provide warnings for dangers drivers can't see. “Lessons learned,” the biker rider, who chose not to be identified, told the news channel. “I’m just glad everyone made it out okay ... I grew up on the dunes. You constantly have to keep your head on a swivel. I usually do a good job of spotting and checking the area.” *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()