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We are sad to report that Marty Smith—an absolute legend during the rise of American Motocross—has passed away with his wife Nancy in a freak dune buggy accident at the Imperial Sand Dunes. Marty was a three-time AMA Motocross Champion during the rise of American motocross for Team Honda and long time friend to many inside the industry and will be sorely missed. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Marty’s close friends and family in this tough time.
Marty’s good friend Lee Ramage was inside the dune buggy at the time of the accident and he and his wife were fortunate to be uninjured.
Lee posted this photo from just before the crash with some details of the accident on Facebook page.
“It’s with the heaviest, grieving heart that I have to tell you Marty and Nancy Smith were killed yesterday in a rollover accident in his dune buggy at the imperial sand dunes, Lee said from his Facebook account. “This is a photo of his last few hours. My wife, Tammi, and I were in the buggy and were unhurt. We spent at least an hour trying to save their lives before first responders arrived. Marty took his last breath while I was holding his head, keeping his airway clear. Marty was my best friend and I tried with everything in me to save him while Tammi tried to save Nancy. More details to come. There is so much to know about this man and how he wanted to leave this earth when God called him.”
“Please keep his children, Jillyin, Brooke, and Tyler and all his grandkids in your prayers.”
