A late-night ride on a rural stretch of road north of New Braunfels ended in tragedy Friday when a 20-year-old motorcyclist died after his bike left the pavement and slammed into a fence, according to state troopers. The rider, identified as Aden Kyle Waters of New Braunfels, was pronounced dead at the scene.
What officials say
Troopers were called out just before 11 p.m. Friday to Schuenemann Road, north of Old Luling Road. According to KSAT, Waters was riding a white Kawasaki southbound when he went off the roadway while negotiating a turn, overcorrected, and crashed into a fence post.
Why run-off-road crashes turn deadly
A 2026 study in Scientific Reports that analyzed Texas crash records found that single-vehicle run-off-road and overcorrection crashes on rural undivided roads often lead to severe or fatal injuries, especially when riders strike fixed objects like fence posts. The researchers highlighted speed, nighttime riding and younger rider age as common risk factors that increase the odds a crash ends in a death.
Statewide safety picture
The Texas Department of Transportation has warned that motorcyclist deaths have been climbing and is urging drivers to look twice for bikes. TxDOT reported 562 motorcyclists were killed on Texas roads in 2022, an increase from the previous year. State safety campaigns stress making motorcyclists more visible at intersections and giving them extra space when passing, guidance officials say matters even more on curvy rural roads like Schuenemann.
The Department of Public Safety says the investigation into Friday's crash is still underway and has not released additional details. KSAT reported there was no immediate word on helmet use or possible impairment. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the Texas Department of Public Safety and say they plan to update the public as more details are confirmed.
