News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Three injured in crash near Suttle Lake

A Bend woman, her daughter and a man from Salem sustained multiple injuries Friday, December 22, in a three- vehicle collision on Highway 20 at the Suttle Lake grade.

The accident, which occurred at 12:50 p.m. near Mile Post 86.5, blocked the highway for 2-1/2 hours, the Oregon State Police reported.

According to the report, an eastbound car driven by Sandra McDonald, 47, of Bend, drifted across the center line, struck the side of a westbound trailer and then smashed head- on into a car driven by Jack Bass, 29, of Salem, who was traveling westbound alone.

One witness said the impact drove the front ends of both cars into their front seats. Everyone involved in the wreck reportedly was wearing a seat belt.

The trailer was being pulled by Dustin Moon, 18, of Colton. Moon and three passengers in his vehicle escaped injury. An earlier report indicated the foursome was returning to the Portland area after skiing in Central Oregon.

Most seriously injured was McDonald's passenger, her daughter, Shawnna Tacke, 19, of Bend. A spokeswoman for St. Charles Medical Center said Saturday the young woman was in critical condition, suffering lacerations and fractures. A medic who responded to the scene said Tacke appeared to have a broken thigh bone and internal trauma.

She and Bass were transported by Air Life of Oregon, and McDonald was taken to Bend by Sisters Ambulance. Bass and McDonald were in serious condition Saturday with multiple fractures and lacerations.

Cause of the accident remained under investigation.

 

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