UPDATE 12 August 2025: The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that police investigators say Steven Ballinger was killed in June when 27 year-old pickup truck driver Sebastian Crespo ran through a red traffic light and struck the cyclist. Crespo was cited for careless driving, a misdemeanor, pleaded no contest to the charge and the sentence was deferred.

Former Indiana University Little 500 star bike racer Steven Ballinger was killed in a car crash while on a training ride Wednesday 18 June in New Mexico, USA, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

At approximately 20:20 in the evening the 42 year-old was involved in a car-bicycle crash at a busy intersection in the city of Santa Fe, with first responders arriving quickly to provide life-saving aid.

Paramedics transported Ballinger to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center with severe injuries, where doctors were unable to save his life.

At Indiana University Ballinger was a key member of the 2003 Major Taylor Team that finished second at the world famous Little 500 – an annual team relay bike race modeled after the Indianapolis 500 automobile race.

As a rookie racer he helped anchor the first 70 laps of the 200 lap race, telling Cycling News, “My first set I did 23 laps, and almost died on the last lap, I just stayed in too long. But Simeon [Commissiong] caught us back up. It was a team effort.”

The experience and thrill of racing in front of 25,000 Little 500 fans inspired Ballinger to aim even higher, telling the Indiana Daily Student, “My goal is to become a professional cyclist.”

Although he never reached the professional ranks, as an elite amateur Ballinger raced shoulder-to-shoulder alongside top professionals throughout the USA on the road and track.

Santa Fe Police report the crash investigation is ongoing, adding that the car driver involved remained on-scene, cooperated with officers and has not been charged with any crimes so far.

Photo Credit: Monty Howell

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