U-turn leads to fatal crash on 20

A Portland woman died in a crash on Highway 20 in Tumalo last week.

On Friday, July 28, at approximately 4:26 p.m., Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 20 near milepost 15.

According to OSP, preliminary investigation indicated a Subaru Forester operated by Janet Diane Abelein, age 68 of Portland, was traveling eastbound on Highway 20 in Tumalo when the driver made a U-turn in the middle of the highway. The Subaru was T-boned by a Ford F350 operated by Policarpo Vasquez Prudente, age 46 of Redmond, which was also traveling eastbound.

All occupants were transported from the scene to local hospitals for treatment.

Abelein died at the hospital. A passenger in the Subaru, Dwayne Milo Abelein, 65, of Portland, received treatment for injuries.

The highway was impacted for approximately an hour during the on-scene investigation.

Oregon State Police were assisted by Deschutes County Sheriffs’ Office, Bend Fire, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire, and ODOT.