Sisters man killed in Highway 20 wreck

A 26 year old Sisters man was killed in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 20 near Suttle Lake, approximately 12 miles west of Sisters, on September 3.

At approximately 1:42 p.m., Joshua Hignell was headed westbound on Highway 20. For unknown reasons, Hignell failed to negotiate the curve. The vehicle went first into the gravel on the right side of the highway, then, with brakes locked, headed into the oncoming lanes.

Hignell's BMW crossed the center line and struck a 1999 Ford Explorer driven by Timothy Monterossi, 33, of Beaverton, Oregon, nearly head on.

Both these vehicles were then struck by a 1999 Ford pick-up pulling a 29-foot fifth-wheel trailer occupied by Daniel Hill 47, and his wife Linda, of Mulino, Oregon.

Hignell died immediately. The occupants of the Explorer and Linda Hill were transported by ambulance to St. Charles. According to hospital officials, the Monterossi family and Linda Hill were treated and released.

According to authorities, Hignell's license to drive, which had been had been revoked in December of 1996, was just reinstated on August 9, 1999.

Friends of the family said that about two weeks later, Hignell wrecked an older BMW outside of Stayton.

In that wreck Hignell also left the highway, overcorrected and crossed the centerline. In that case, the car rolled several times but Hignell was not badly injured.

Investigation of the fatal crash is being conducted by the Oregon State Police in Bend.