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Cyrus Pino Killed in Woodburn Motorcycle Crash at Butteville Road NE and Lebrun Road NE: Community Mourns Loss of 35-Year-Old Oregon Man

WOODBURN, OR โ€“ A Community in Shock

The quiet farming community of Woodburn, Oregon, nestled in the fertile Willamette Valley, is grappling with an overwhelming sense of grief this week following the tragic death of 35-year-old Cyrus Pino. The beloved local resident was killed on Tuesday evening in a violent motorcycle crash at the intersection of Butteville Road NE and Lebrun Road NE, an area known to locals for its rural charm but increasingly scrutinized for traffic safety concerns.

According to preliminary reports from the Woodburn Police Department and the Marion County Sheriffโ€™s Office, the collision occurred just before 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time, during the early evening rush hour when daylight was beginning to fade. Authorities stated that a pickup truckโ€”whose driver has not yet been publicly identified pending further investigationโ€”was traveling southbound on Butteville Road NE and attempted to make a left turn onto Lebrun Road NE. At that same moment, Cyrus Pino was operating his motorcycle northbound through the intersection. The pickup truck turned directly into the path of the motorcycle, leaving Pino with no time to avoid the impact.

Emergency medical services (EMS) and Woodburn Fire District personnel arrived at the scene within minutes, but despite aggressive life-saving measures, Cyrus Pino succumbed to his traumatic injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck remained at the location and is cooperating with law enforcement, officials said. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active as of Wednesday morning.

A Life Cut Short at 35

Cyrus Pino was just 35 years oldโ€”an age when many are still building careers, raising young families, and dreaming of the future. Those who knew him describe a man of โ€œstrong presence, quiet confidence, and a meaningful impact on everyone he encountered.โ€ Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Cyrus had deep roots in Marion County. He attended local schools and, as an adult, worked in the construction and trades industry, where he earned a reputation for being reliable, hardworking, and generous with his time.

โ€œCyrus wasnโ€™t just a friend; he was a brother to so many of us,โ€ said longtime friend Marcus Delgado, who had known Pino since middle school. โ€œHe had this way of walking into a room and making everyone feel seen. Heโ€™d give you the shirt off his back. And he loved riding. That motorcycle was his freedom. To lose him like thisโ€”at an intersection weโ€™ve all driven through a thousand timesโ€”it just doesnโ€™t feel real.โ€

Friends recall that Cyrus was an avid motorcycle enthusiast who practiced defensive riding and always wore appropriate safety gear. โ€œHe wasnโ€™t a risk-taker on the road,โ€ said another close friend, Jenna Hartley. โ€œHe knew how dangerous riding could be. He was careful. Thatโ€™s what makes this so hard to accept. It wasnโ€™t his fault.โ€

The Scene: Butteville Road NE and Lebrun Road NE

The intersection where Cyrus lost his life is a two-way, rural crossroads surrounded by farmland, scattered homes, and occasional agricultural machinery traffic. Butteville Road NE runs north-south and connects to larger highways leading into Woodburnโ€™s downtown area, while Lebrun Road NE is a smaller east-west route. The speed limit on Butteville Road in that section is 45 mph, but locals have long voiced concerns about visibility, especially during dusk hours when the setting sun can create glare for drivers turning left.

Woodburn has seen a modest increase in traffic incidents over the past five years, attributed to population growth in nearby Salem and Portland commuters using backroads to avoid Interstate 5 congestion. However, fatal motorcycle crashes remain relatively rare. According to Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) data, there were 59 motorcyclist fatalities statewide in 2023, with Marion County accounting for five of them. Tuesdayโ€™s crash marks the second motorcycle-related death in the county this year.

Investigators are currently reviewing surveillance footage from nearby properties and have asked anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the Woodburn Police Departmentโ€™s Traffic Division. Officials have not yet released whether speed, impairment, or distraction were factors involving the pickup truck driver.

Familyโ€™s Grief and a Communityโ€™s Embrace

In the wake of the tragedy, Cyrus Pinoโ€™s family released a brief but poignant statement through a family spokesperson: โ€œOur hearts are shattered. Cyrus was a son, a brother, an uncle, and a loyal friend. He lived his life with integrity and kindness. While we are devastated, we are also grateful for the outpouring of love from the Woodburn community. Please respect our privacy as we mourn, and if you wish to honor Cyrus, do so by being present for the people you loveโ€”because life is fragile.โ€

A memorial of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes has already begun to grow at the crash site. Passersby on Wednesday morning reported seeing a small wooden cross with Cyrusโ€™s name, along with a motorcycle helmet placed at the base of a nearby utility pole. Friends plan to organize a vigil later this week, though the date and location have not yet been finalized.

Local businesses have also expressed their condolences. The Woodburn Taqueria, where Cyrus was a regular customer, posted a sign on its door reading: โ€œRest in peace, Cyrus. You always came in with a smile. You will be missed.โ€

The Investigation: What Happens Next?

The Woodburn Police Department is leading the crash reconstruction effort, with assistance from the Marion County District Attorneyโ€™s Office. Left-turn collisions are among the most common types of motorcycle accidents, often occurring when a driver fails to accurately judge the speed or distance of an approaching motorcycle. Unlike passenger vehicles, motorcycles have a smaller visual profile, making them harder to seeโ€”especially at dusk or against complex backgrounds.

Oregon law (ORS 811.315) requires drivers turning left to yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. If investigators determine that the pickup truck driver violated this statute, they could face criminal charges ranging from careless driving to manslaughter in the second degree, though such decisions typically take weeks or months as evidence is analyzed.

Toxicology reports for both Cyrus Pino and the pickup truck driver are standard in fatal crashes and have been ordered. Results may take four to six weeks. Meanwhile, the pickup truck driver has not been named publicly, and police have not indicated whether any citations have been issued.

Remembering Cyrus Pino: More Than an Accident Victim

While news headlines will inevitably focus on the crash itself, those who loved Cyrus are working hard to ensure his lifeโ€”not his deathโ€”defines his memory. Friends describe him as an outdoorsman who loved camping along the Clackamas River, a dog dad to a rescue pit bull named Otis, and someone who never missed his nieceโ€™s soccer games.

โ€œCyrus had this laugh that was kind of loud and ridiculous, and once you heard it, you couldnโ€™t help but laugh too,โ€ said his cousin, Elena Pino. โ€œHe taught me how to change a tire when I was 16. He showed up for people. Thatโ€™s what I want people to remember: not the wreck, but the way he lived.โ€

Cyrus was also a dedicated member of a local motorcycle riding group called Willamette Valley Riders, a community of enthusiasts who organize safety courses and charity rides. The group plans to hold a โ€œfinal rideโ€ in his honor this upcoming Saturday, beginning at the Woodburn Shoe Factory parking lot and ending at the crash site, where they will lay a wreath.

Motorcycle Safety and Left-Turn Dangers

The tragedy has reignited conversations about motorcycle awareness among drivers in rural Oregon. Nationally, nearly 40% of motorcycle fatalities involve another vehicle turning left, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2022 alone, over 6,000 motorcyclists died in U.S. crashes, with left-turn collisions being the single most common crash scenario at intersections.

Safety advocates urge drivers to take an extra second to look for motorcycles, especially at dusk, dawn, and in poor weather conditions. โ€œA motorcycle can look farther away than it actually is,โ€ said Sgt. Lisa Chen of the Woodburn PD. โ€œOur message to drivers is simple: when youโ€™re turning left, look twice. That one extra glance can save a life.โ€

For riders, experts recommend wearing high-visibility gear using headlights even during daytime, and positioning themselves in the left third of their lane when approaching intersections to be more visible to turning drivers.

Cyrus Pino was reportedly wearing a DOT-approved helmet and a reflective jacket at the time of the crash, according to sources close to the investigation. His adherence to safety measures, while unable to prevent the collision, underscores the need for systemic improvements in driver awareness rather than victim-blaming.

How to Help and Memorial Information

A GoFundMe page has been established by family friends to assist with funeral expenses and to create a memorial fund for motorcycle safety education in Cyrusโ€™s name. As of Wednesday afternoon, over $8,000 had been raised toward a $20,000 goal. Donations can be found by searching โ€œCyrus Pino Memorial Fundโ€ on the platform.

Funeral arrangements are pending, but a celebration of life is expected to take place next week at a yet-to-be-announced venue in Woodburn. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, mourners consider donating to the Oregon Motorcycle Safety Program or simply performing an act of kindness for a neighborโ€”something Cyrus did often.

Conclusion: A Void That Will Be Felt for Years

The loss of Cyrus Pino, 35, killed Tuesday evening in a motorcycle crash at Butteville Road NE and Lebrun Road NE in Woodburn, Oregon, has left an indelible mark on his family, friends, and the wider community. As investigators continue to examine the actions of the pickup truck driver involved, those who loved Cyrus are left with memories, photographs, and the painful task of moving forward without him.

But in the sorrow, there is also a resolve: to honor Cyrus not as a statistic, but as a man who lived fully, loved deeply, and reminded everyone who knew him that time is precious. The intersection where he died may one day see safety improvements, but for now, it stands


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