Wreck claims life of Bend woman

A Bend-area woman died Saturday morning when the car she was driving struck a tree along Highway 20 near the entrance to Black Butte Ranch.

According to Oregon State Police (OSP), on Saturday, May 16, at about 11:12 a.m. a 2005 Buick four-door driven by Genevieve Clare Watson, 79, from Bend, was westbound on Highway 20 near milepost 92 passing the entrance to Black Butte Ranch when it failed to negotiate a slight right hand corner. The Buick continued straight, left the roadway to the south and struck a large tree head-on.

Watson was not using safety restraints and died from injuries sustained in the crash.

OSP troopers from the Bend Area Command office and Prineville work site completed the investigation.

Black Butte Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and ODOT assisted at the scene. The roadway was closed for 20 minutes.