A 66-year-old Warroad man died after his dirt bike struck a deer on Highway 169 in Itasca County on Thursday night, authorities say.
Mark Russell Smith was riding a 2021 USA Motortoys FSE 250CC E northbound on Highway 169 just north of County Road 450 in Spang Township around 7:35 p.m. on May 21 when he struck a deer in the roadway, the Minnesota State Patrol said.
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Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and the roadway was dry.
Alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the crash, the State Patrol said.
Itasca County, Hill City Police Department, North EMS, North Air, Grand Rapids Fire Department and Hill City Fire Department assisted the State Patrol at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
