Rock smashes car windshield on Highway 20

A couple traveling eastbound toward Sisters on Highway 20 on Wednesday, March 16, escaped serious injury when a rock smashed through the windshield of their sedan as they passed the Mt. Washington Viewpoint near Suttle Lake.

According to Black Butte Ranch Police reports, the incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m.

Sisters-Camp Sherman emergency personnel, Black Butte Ranch Fire District, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation and Black Butte Ranch police responded to the scene.

The driver had managed to maintain control of his vehicle when the rock plunged downhill and hit the windshield, ending up on the passenger-side floorboard.

He continued eastbound and finally stopped at a turnout near milepost 86.

The unidentified male driver and his female passenger were both transported via Sisters ambulance, but their injuries did not appearserious.

BBR Police Office Les Brush said that the driver did a great job keeping control of his vehicle and Brush told the man so at the scene.

Falling rock is a common road hazard on Highway 20 across the Santiam Pass.