PEORIA — Nantz's family confirmed his death in a social media post on Wednesday evening. The statement identified the teenager as an organ donor through Gift of Hope and listed the severe injuries he sustained in the collision.

The crash involved a collision among three riders during the heat race. Nantz was transported to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center for treatment following the incident. He rode a KTM 450 SX-F for Nantz Brothers Racing and had finished second in one of two qualifying sessions for the 450 class on race day.

Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins and Coroner Jamie Harwood issued a joint release identifying Bayne Nantz as the victim. The officials stated they are investigating the incident as a fatal racing accident.

The races were held at the Peoria Motorcycle Race Club as part of the 79th Caterpillar Peoria TT national championship. American Flat Track serves as the national sanctioning body for the sport. The 450 race had been formally named the Dan Bromley Memorial AFT ProSport 450 race prior to the event.

Timeline

On August 22, 2026, a racing accident at the Peoria Motorcycle Club resulted in the death of 15-year-old Bayne Nantz, who died on September 1, 2026, from injuries sustained during the AFT ProSport 450 heat race at the Peoria TT national championship. Nantz crashed during a heat race for the AFT ProSport 450 main event at the Peoria TT national championship races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The Peoria TT races were part of the 79th Caterpillar Peoria TT national championship. The crash involved a collision among three riders. Nantz was transported to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center for treatment following the crash. The races were held at the Peoria Motorcycle Race Club. Nantz finished second in one of two qualifying sessions for the 450 class on race day. Bayne Nantz, a 15-year-old amateur motorcycle racer, died on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at 10:31 p.m.

What's New

A racing accident at the Peoria Motorcycle Club on August 22, 2026, resulted in the death of 15-year-old Bayne Nantz, who died on September 1, 2026, from injuries sustained during the AFT ProSport 450 heat race at the Peoria TT national championship. No inspection, license, or enforcement history for the Peoria Motorcycle Club or the Caterpillar Peoria TT was found in the available documents. No prior incidents at the Peoria TT or involving the Peoria Motorcycle Club were found in the available documents. The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and the Peoria County Coroner’s Office are investigating the circumstances of the accident, with the sheriff’s office stating that the investigation is ongoing.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on details regarding the national championship. An American Flat Track statement said Nantz crashed during a heat race for the AFT ProSport 450 main event at the Peoria TT national championship races on Saturday, Aug.

22, 2026. Sources also differ on details regarding Bayne Nantz. A Peoria County Coroner statement said Bayne Nantz, a 15-year-old amateur motorcycle racer, died on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at 10:31 p.m. Sources differ on details regarding the Peoria Motorcycle venue. Article reporting stated the races were held at the Peoria Motorcycle Race Club.

Why It Matters

The death of a minor during a sanctioned national championship event has prompted an official investigation by county authorities. Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins and Coroner Jamie Harwood are examining the circumstances surrounding the three-rider collision that led to Nantz's fatal injuries. The inquiry focuses on determining the specific factors that contributed to the accident during the Dan Bromley Memorial AFT ProSport 450 race.

Available records indicate no prior enforcement actions or documented incidents involving the Peoria Motorcycle Club or the Caterpillar Peoria TT. This absence of historical data places the current investigation as the primary mechanism for establishing safety context for the venue. The outcome of the probe will inform understanding of the conditions present during the 79th national championship event.