Dirt biker dies after being dragged under Baltimore City fire truck in crash
A crash with a Baltimore City fire truck has left a dirt biker dead.
Fire officials said shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday, firefighters were responding to a reported fire in the 3600 block of Hineline Road.
Police said firefighters were traveling south on Payson Street with lights and sirens blaring, and a dirt bike was traveling east on Pratt Street. Witnesses said they remember seeing two dirt bikes going through the intersection.
"When he seen that dirt bike, he pulled his horn and let that run. The dirt bike, he gassed it two times, and after that, after the second time, you heard it go. He tried to make it. He ran a red light," said a witness who identified himself as Fire.
Fire officials said the dirt bike operator dismounted before the crash and was dragged under the truck across the intersection until the truck was able to come to a complete stop.
When Baltimore police officers arrived at the scene, the dirt bike operator was pronounced dead. Family identified him to the 11 News I-Team as Juwan Barnes, 22, who was known as "Butt Butt." They said Barnes was on his way to visit relatives of his best friend, who also died in a dirt bike accident.
Barnes is being remembered as a great neighbor and friend.
"You know, you got that kid in the neighborhood that everybody is just crazy about. Butt Butt was that kid, man. I've been up half the night crying. I'm crying over that kid because he was a good kid, very respectful," said Denise Brewer, a friend.
"He, like, brighten the whole day, make smiles out of everything. He made every day happy like that," said Mariah Barnes, a cousin.
Witnesses said someone took the dirt bike as Barnes lay in the street with a white sheet over him.
"Someone from the corner came in the middle of the street, took his bike and stashed it in one of the alleys, and the police never thought to ask, 'Where did the bike go?'" Fire said.
Baltimore police are investigating.
According to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, riding dirt bikes through city streets is now part of the city culture, but it is not appreciated.
"What we have to do, what we are doing with my administration is to work with organizations like B360 to help think, rethink the culture, get them to ride in controlled, safe spaces," Scott said.
The fire department dispatched a critical stress team to assist fire members involved.
Funeral arrangements are still being made
