Basic Facts

Crash date: April 25, 2026

Crash location: State Highway 70 north of Blackwell, TX

People involved:

  • David Ross Pettingill Jr., 39

Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash? Unknown

Did authorities recommend criminal charges? Unknown

Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash? Unknown

Accident Report

Nolan County, TX — April 25, 2026, David Pettingill Jr. was killed in a motorcycle accident at about 9:50 p.m. on State Highway 70 north of Blackwell.

Authorities said a 2025 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse motorcycle was heading north on S.H. 70 when it went off the left side of the road and hit a tree.

Rider David Ross Pettingill Jr., 39, of Mountainair, NM, died after being transported to a Sweetwater hospital, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Nolan County crash at this time.

How Did This Accident Occur?

Was this motorcyclist fatigued or distracted? Was there a mechanical issue with the motorcycle? Did something in the road contribute to this crash? These are typical of the questions left in the wake of a crash like this, but more than 30 years of working with families after fatal accidents tells me that the answers they need will come from a full investigation. Whether that’s the official investigation or one by an independent third party, this family needs to know what happened on State Highway 70.

Did you witness this crash? Tell us what you saw in the comments.

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