Airman from Rapid City struck by passenger vehicle at 16th Avenue Northwest intersection
April 09, 2026 | Great Falls, MT
A devastating motorcycle collision resulted in the death of 24-year-old U.S. Airman Daris Benally on April 9 at the busy intersection of Third Street NW and 16th Avenue NW.
Daris Benally, 24, died after a crash involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle at Third Street Northwest and 16th Avenue Northwest in Great Falls.
What Happened in the Crash?
Police reports indicate that Airman 1st Class Daris Benally, originally from Rapid City, South Dakota, was riding his motorcycle when it struck a passenger vehicle at approximately 3:10 p.m. Emergency responders rushed Benally to Benefis Health System. Still, he was unable to survive his injuries. As a dedicated missile handler in the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base, his loss impacts many.
- Date and Time: April 9, around 3:10 p.m.
- Location: Third Street Northwest and 16th Avenue Northwest, Great Falls, MT
- Vehicles: A motorcycle operated by Benally and a passenger vehicle
- Victim: Daris Benally, 24, Airman from Rapid City, SD
- Fatal Outcome: Deceased at Benefis Health System
- Investigating Body: Great Falls police department
To aid with funeral arrangements, a GoFundMe page has been established for Benally's loved ones. Officials continue to investigate the details of the accident.
Why Do These Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
Such incidents frequently involve lapses by drivers of larger vehicles. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) documents a sharp rise in motorcyclist deaths, pointing to negligence as a key factor.
Year |
Motorcyclist Fatalities |
Increase Since 2019 |
Primary Causes |
|---|
2019 |
Approximately 5,014 |
Baseline |
Negligent driving |
2023 |
6,335 |
26% |
Failure to yield (35% of crashes) |
These figures from IIHS highlight the urgent need for greater awareness among all road users to prevent such tragedies.
Legal Insights
For incidents involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, professional analysis reveals common patterns. Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, and a national analyst with Newsline, stresses the value of detailed investigations.
Motorcyclists are among the most at-risk on highways, where issues like blind spots and distractions lead to avoidable wrecks. In cases such as this, gathering evidence through specialists and insurance reviews is vital to aid affected parties.
- Key Prevention: Drivers must prioritize yielding and scanning for bikes.
- Road Vulnerabilities: Motorcycles offer little protection, amplifying crash severity.
- Support Measures: Interviews with witnesses and driver histories strengthen cases.
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, addresses family recourse.
After heartbreaking accidents like these, securing justice involves tracking investigation and claiming for losses in companionship and distress. Advocacy ensures families receive what they deserve.
What Legal Recourse Exists for Families?
In wrongful death scenarios from traffic accidents, surviving family members could seek remedies for grief, suffering, and related hardships. Newsline encourages reaching out to qualified advisors for personalized guidance amid ongoing inquiries.
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Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, is skilled in handling motorcycle accident cases. Contact her for a free consultation if you or a loved one needs legal guidance.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).