Wintry road conditions cause several wrecks

Three people were hurt in this wreck. photo by Jim Cornelius Driving conditions grew dangerous last week as winter weather descended over the Sisters area.

A man was seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident on Saturday, January 8, on Highway 20 1.5 miles east of Black Butte Ranch.

Scott Hevera of Redmond was transported by Air Life to St. Charles Medical Center.

Driver Haley Hevera and passenger Blake Mills were transported via ground ambulance.

According to Oregon State Police reports, speed and icy conditions were contibuting factors to the crash.

Earlier in the week, a 63-year-old Bend woman was seriously injured after she lost control of her vehicle and struck an oncoming vehicle.

The wreck on Tuesday, January 4, blocked Highway 20 for two hours between Sisters and Tumalo.

According to Oregon State Police reports, the wreck occurred at about 2:14 p.m. Sandra J. McReynolds, 63, of Bend, was eastbound on Highway 20 about 14 miles east of Sisters when she lost control of her vehicle and slid into the oncoming lane hitting a westbound vehicle driven by Gary P. Olsen, 64, also of Bend.

At the time of the crash the roadway was extremely icy due to the freezing rain and fog, OSP reported.

Both drivers were taken to St. Charles for medical attention, with Olsen sustaining moderate injuries.

Senior Trooper Craig of the Oregon State Police, Bend Area Command said, "with the current weather conditions we are experiencing, we urge drivers to slow down, increase your distance between the vehicles you are following and drive defensively as well as responsibly."

Senior Trooper Craig also stated that speed appeared to be a contributing factor in the crash.