Officials ID teen dirt bike rider killed in collision at Twin Cities intersection

A teenage boy on a dirt bike struck a pickup truck at a residential intersection in Blaine and died, officials said.

The crash occurred about 6 p.m. Monday at 103rd Lane NE and Sunset Avenue NE, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office said.

The 15-year-old was riding south on Sunset when he struck the pickup as the driver turned left from northbound Sunset onto westbound 103rd Lane.

Emergency responders came to the boy’s aid, but he was declared dead at the scene. The man driving the pickup was not hurt, nor was the girl with him.

The sheriff’s office on Tuesday afternoon identified the teenager as Artem Sandulyak, of Blaine, and the pickup driver as Dennis Malmstedt,50, of Circle Pines.

The sheriff’s office did not disclose who had the right of way at the time.

“Artem was on his way to visit a friend, doing what he loved most — riding his dirt bike,” the family said on an online fund-raising page that is seeking help with funeral expenses. “He had a passion for the outdoors and lived every moment to the fullest. Whether it was riding his bike, exploring nature, or spending time with his family, Artem brought joy and laughter to everyone around him.”