Decorated reservist dies in auto wreck

A Nevada County man survived a tour in Iraq but was killed when his motorcycle was hit from behind in downtown Marysville.

Daniel Arthur Durgin, 33, a 14-year veteran of the Naval Reserve, died at Rideout Memorial Hospital after the accident about 5 p.m. Sunday at Fourth and E streets.

Durgin was to be married to Sierra Knapp of Lincoln on May 24, said his sister, Brynda Traylor of Penn Valley.

"He loved being in the Navy. The only one he loved more was Sierra," said Traylor.

Durgin served as a corpsman with a Marine Corps unit in Iraq. His tour there ended in October 2006, she said.

Durgin had a master's degree in microbiology and worked as a licensed vocational nurse in the hospital at Mule Creek State Prison in Amador County.

Marysville police said Durgin was waiting for a traffic signal at Fourth and E streets when he was hit from behind by a van and dragged 60 feet or more.

The driver of the van was Sylvia Beth Baron, 48, of Paradise, who was with her four children. None of the van occupants was injured, police said.

Durgin had spent the wee end visiting his mother, niece and nephew in Big Oak Valley and was heading to the home he shared with Knapp, said Traylor.

Usually, he cut through Beale Air Force Base. But on Sunday he did not have the reflective jacket Beale requires motorcycle riders to wear, and so was riding through Marysville, she said.

The van was impounded and will be inspected for mechanical defects. Results of an investigation will be forwarded to the Yuba County District Attorney's Office, said Detective Sgt. Mark Cummings.

Baron did not show any sign of intoxication, Cummings said.

Durgin did other overseas military tours, including in the Philippines, and was "very decorated." He had just been given a Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal, said Traylor.

"He was an amazing brother. He loved my kids so much. He was a great uncle," said Traylor.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Rob Young at 749-4710 or at ryoung@appealdemocrat.com