Updated: Identity of 19-year-old who died in Littlefield motocross crash released

This file photo shows a Beaver Dam-Littlefield Fire truck, Beaver Dam, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2019 | Photo courtesy of the Beaver Dam-Littlefield Fire District, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Family and friends of the dirt biker who perished in a motocross crash remember a young man who “unknowingly touched so many lives.”

The rider’s dirt bike at the Mesquite Motorcross Park, Littlefield, Arizona | Photo courtesy of the Beaver Dam-Littlefield Fire District, St. George

Ryder “Rydman” Colvin, a 19-year-old Nevada native, died Feb. 9 “doing what he loved,” his obituary reads.

“While Las Vegas was his home, he traveled all over the country racing dirt bikes,” the obituary states. “He made friends everywhere he went and unknowingly touched so many lives. … Ryder was surrounded by so many people in his life that loved and appreciated his kind heart and his desire to be the best person he could be every day.”

Last Saturday, the Mesquite Motocross hosted a tribute in Colvin’s honor. Additionally, “all are welcome” to attend services this Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 375 North Hollywood Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada.

While services begin at 10 a.m., attendees can arrive as early as 9 a.m., the obituary reads.

The day of the crash, the Beaver Dam-Littlefield Fire District responded to the Mesquite Motorcross Park at 970 Peppermill Palms Boulevard at approximately 3:06 p.m., Fire Chief Jeff Hunt told St. George News.

The rider was navigating a large jump, and Hunt said he “must have hit a kicker” and went over the handlebars.

An emergency room nurse was on the scene within a few minutes and began CPR, and Assistant Fire Chief Andre Ojeda said the department was thankful for her presence.

“She gave us a lot of information,” he said. “She was a great help.”

Additionally, a Mercy Air helicopter arrived shortly after the fire district, and a medical flight nurse assisted other responders with CPR, intubation and several rounds of epinephrine. However, Hunt said there they were unable to detect a pulse or respiration.

“We worked him right there on the spot where he landed,” he said.

The man potentially had severe upper cervical fractures and was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 3:46 p.m., said Hunt, adding that the exact nature of his injuries has not been confirmed.

The man’s father was on site and Hunt said while he was “beat up from it,” he was also “very supportive” and “stalwart.”

The man was a longtime rider, and fatal crashes like these are uncommon, Hunt said, adding that it was “just a freak accident” that he received “that kind of devastating injury” while wearing his protective gear.

“It’s spectacular to watch motocross — their big jumps and whatnot,” he said. “The speeds are only 40-50 miles-per-hour, but yet when you come off of a big jump and you get pitched over the bars like that, there is that potential (for fatal injuries) and this one reached that potential.”

Hunt said the death was “devastating to the family.”

“I had a really good visit with the dad afterward, as a motocrosser myself,” he said. “It’s going to be very tough for them. The kid had started riding when he was 7 and when he was 19 years old, his passion took his life.”

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.

This report is based on statements from police, emergency personnel or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

St. George News reporters Nick Yamashita and Jeff Richards contributed to this report.

Updated, Feb. 23, 2023 at 7:08 p.m.: Included the man’s identity and the family’s announcement.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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