Dirt bike rider killed in crash outside of La Center

A 21-year-old man riding a dirt bike was killed Monday afternoon when he collided with a pickup near La Center, on the road just outside his family’s home, La Center police Chief Marc Denney said.

Denney said Michael Marugg was riding on Northeast 23rd Avenue, a single-lane dirt road off Northeast Lockwood Creek Road near the city limits, at around 3 p.m.

It appeared Marugg didn’t see a pickup coming down the road toward him, Denney said, and Marugg collided with the pickup.

Denney said Marugg was not wearing a helmet. Clark County Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Tim Dawdy said firefighters arrived at the crash and pronounced Marugg dead at the scene.

Denney said there was no indication that anyone involved was driving under the influence. The investigation is ongoing, but Denney said it didn’t appear there was any wrongdoing on the part of the pickup’s driver, 22-year-old Kevin Buys, Jr.

Denney said Marugg was riding close to his home, and his family members were at the scene after the crash. Buys apparently lives nearby as well, Denney said.

“The family was right there,” he said. “Just a sad deal.”

The La Center Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office traffic unit are investigating.

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UPDATE, 6 p.m. March 7: This post has been updated with Marugg’s age.