Two children were transported to the hospital after a racing incident on West Wall Street on Wednesday evening.
Midland police responded to a major accident at approximately 7:23 p.m. Wednesday in the 4100 block of West Wall Street, where they learned that two injured children, ages 7 and 11, were transported to Midland Memorial Hospital in a private vehicle.
The investigation into the accident revealed that it began with two individuals racing westbound on the road. Aaron Lyles, 22, of Midland, was driving a grey Chevrolet Silverado, was racing with 19-year-old Richard Baeza Moya, who was driving a dark purple and black 2000 Ford F-150.
At some point, Lyles crossed over into the eastbound lanes to continue racing. A gray Dodge pickup, which was occupied by two adults with the 7- and 11-year-olds in the backseat, was driving on Bankhead and stopped at a stop sign before proceeding north across Wall Street. The driver of the Dodge pickup failed to see Lyles, who was still traveling west in the eastbound lane, and Lyles spun out of control and struck the Dodge pickup. Moya was not found at the scene when police arrived.
The 7-year-old male was airlifted to University Medical Center in Lubbock late Wednesday evening with major head trauma and the 11-year-old male remained at Midland Memorial Hospital with minor head trauma. As of Thursday afternoon, the 7-year-old was said to be in stable condition and the 11-year-old was released from the hospital.
Lyles was arrested and charged with racing causing serious bodily injury. Officers were able to locate Moya and his vehicle Thursday afternoon and charges are pending. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the accident.
###Media Contact: Public Information Officer Sara Higgins