Winter storms make for risky driving

A driver was airlifted to the hospital after being injured while chaining up in snowy conditions.

A Lake Oswego man was airlifted to St. Charles Medical Center on Sunday, January 20, after he was reportedly hit by a car while installing tire chains.

According to Sisters fire department reports, the incident took place at the Suttle Lake curve turnout at milepost 88 on Highway 20 west of Sisters.

John Medovarsky, 33, was reportedly thrown 40 feet by the impact and was knocked unconscious. He regained consciousness on the scene, according to fire department reports.

Medovarsky's injuries, while serious enough to require quick transport, did not appear to be life-threatening, according to witnesses on the scene.

Road conditions remained bad through the holiday weekend. Heavy, continuous snow closed Santiam Pass for a time on Highway 20 on Monday, January 21.

When the pass was opened, chains were required on all vehicles. Numerous drivers were spotted chaining up on road shoulders, vulnerable to the same kind of accident that injured Medovarsky.