The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Police are investigating a serious multi-vehicle wreck that blocked Highway 20 west of Sisters on Friday, July 1.

According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports, deputies were dispatched to Highway 20 West near milepost 93 east of Black Butte Ranch, at about 4:41 p.m. for a reported injury motor vehicle crash involving several vehicles.

Three vehicles were determined to have been involved. A Toyota Avalon was blocking both lanes of travel generally in the middle of the road. A Chevrolet Suburban had rolled at least one time off the westbound shoulder of the roadway coming to rest partially in the westbound lane of travel. A Toyota Sequoia came to rest on the west shoulder of the roadway completely off the roadway.

All vehicles had extensive damage and had to be towed from the scene.

Black Butte Fire, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire, and Redmond Fire Departments responded to assist. Air Link was dispatched and later transported the driver of the Toyota Avalon to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Several other people were transported by ground ambulance to St. Charles in Bend with unknown injuries.

While medical personnel were on scene, both lanes of travel were blocked for approximately 45 minutes. One lane of travel was then opened for approximately an hour and fifteen minutes.

According to police, initial investigation has determined that the driver of the Toyota Avalon, traveling, crossed over into the oncoming lane of travel for unknown reasons. The Toyota Avalon crashed into the rear quarter panel of the westbound Chevrolet Suburban as the Suburban tried to avoid the crash by driving toward the westbound shoulder of the road.

This impact caused the Suburban to slide sideways and roll off the westbound shoulder coming to rest on its wheels on the shoulder of the roadway. The Toyota Avalon then continued into the path of the Toyota Sequoia, which had also veered toward the shoulder of the roadway causing a near head-on crash. The Sequoia came to rest off the westbound shoulder of the roadway. The Toyota Avalon came to rest in the middle of the westbound lane of travel.

Drugs and Alcohol are not believed to be involved in this crash at this time. The investigation is ongoing.