Man cited in injury wreck on Highway 20

Several people were injured when a light truck rear-ended a passenger car as it stopped to make a left turn off Highway 20 at Gist Road. photo by Jim Cornelius

Sheriff's deputies cited a Eugene man for following too closely after he rear-ended a car turning off Highway 20 on Thursday afternoon, July 31.

According to sheriff's office reports, Sean Privette of Eugene was driving westbound in a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder talking to his passenger when he apparently looked away from the highway.

He allegedly failed to notice that the car in front of him was stopped to make a left turn at Gist Road, four miles east of Sisters.

Privette's Nissan rear- ended the stopped 1992 Thunderbird, causing severe rear end damage.

The backseat passenger in the Thunderbird, Michael Schaeffer of Bend, was trapped with his head caught in a window.

According to sheriff's office reports, a passer-by pried open the window frame with a jack, freeing Schaeffer.

Schaeffer was transported to St. Charles Medical Center with severe head lacerations, a broken cheekbone and a mild concussion.

The Thunderbird driver, Suzanne Gaulin of Sisters, and her passenger Russell Johnson complained of some pain and were also transported with unknown injuries.

Privette and his passenger Lisa Jones of Eugene did not require medical attention, according to sheriff's office reports.

The westbound lane of the highway was blocked for a time, but traffic was routed in both directions at intervals through the open eastbound lane.