LUBBOCK, Texas — The quiet of Sunday night shattered when 19-year-old Sean Canales, a young man with a bright smile and close circle of friends, died after a motorcycle crash on the Marsha Sharp Freeway. The Lubbock Police Department says Canales was driving just before 7:40 p.m. near 29th Drive and the Marsha Sharp Freeway when his bike hit a guardrail on the north side of the road and flipped.
Officers arrived to find Canales and a 17-year-old friend, Maizie Casares, both badly hurt. They were rushed to University Medical Center for emergency care. Canales later died from his injuries at the hospital. Casares remains there with serious injuries that hospital officials describe as critical but stable.
Police say this was a single-vehicle crash — no other cars were involved, and there were no reports of alcohol or other substances so far. The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Lubbock Police Major Crash Unit.
Family and friends in Lubbock are in shock. Neighbors described Canales as someone who was always ready with a laugh or a helping hand. His family says he was just starting out in life, full of plans and dreams too many people never get the chance to fulfill. His sudden loss has left a quiet ache in hearts across the community.
Casares is remembered by classmates as bright and spirited. In the tight-knit circles they shared, Sunday’s crash has become a heavy reminder of how quickly life can change. Friends have gathered at the hospital, holding onto hope for Casares’ recovery while also comforting each other through grief.
In the days since the crash, local riders have offered quiet tribute — a few parked motorcycles with flowers at a nearby memorial site on Marsha Sharp. Conversations at community stops and on social media show neighbors trying to make sense of the tragedy, sharing memories of Canales and urging others to be cautious on West Texas roads.
Police ask anyone with information about what happened that night to contact the Lubbock Police Department as the investigation continues. In the meantime, thoughts and prayers from across the South Plains remain with the Canales and Casares families during this difficult time.
