From the La Grande Observer

Pickup mishap kills LG Man

A young La Grande man with an outstanding high-school athletic record died Tuesday night in a one-vehicle accident.  

Union County Sheriff's deputies said Brian Ray Muilenburg, 20, Rt 2, Box 2544, was fatally injured at 8:36 PM when his pickup went out of control on Starr Lane.  Muilenburg was alone in the pickup.  

Authorities said Muilenburg's pickup was traveling east and went out of control near the intersection of Starr and Halley lanes.  The Pickup apparently hit a parked boat, rolled at least once and ran into a tree.  The vehicle was upright when found.

Muilenburg was taken to Grande Ronde Hospital by ambulance with severe head injuries.  He died there at 11:25 PM.

Dale Wyatt, principle at La Grande HIght School, said Muilenburg graduated in 1976 with football and wrestling honors.

Muilenburg played on the 1974 state championship football team at La Grande High and was named Most Valuable Lineman in 1975.

Verl Miller, high school wrestling coach, said Muilenburg was district wrestling champion once and placed second in district twice.  The young wrestler placed fifth in the 1976 state tournament while fighting a torn cartilage and was voted outstanding wrestler that year.

Muilenburg was also wrestling team caption in 1976

Wyatt said Muilenburg was president of the Lettermen's Club in 1972-73, was a FFA leader 1972-76 and earned high scholastic grades.

Muilenburg went to Oregon State University on a wrestling scholarship his first year and had just completed his second year at OSU.

"He was a fine young man and a really asset," Wyatt said.

Daniels Valley Funeral Chapel is handling funeral arrangements.