Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation of a fatal motor vehicle crash on Hwy. 20 near Cloverdale Road just east of Sisters in Deschutes County.
On Thursday, Dec. 11, at approximately 8:42 a.m., OSP troopers were dispatched to a report of a vehicle down an embankment on Hwy. 20 at milepost 5, near Cloverdale Road. According to troopers at the scene, a Yamhill County Sheriff's captain was returning to Yamhill County from Bend and noticed the vehicle, described as a black 2000 Nissan Maxima, 100 feet or more down a steep embankment and on its side. The captain walked down to the vehicle and discovered its driver, identified as CHRIS P. DAHL, 52, of Camp Sherman, deceased beneath the vehicle. DAHL was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and was ejected.
Additional investigation into this crash indicates DAHL's vehicle may have been involved in two hit-and-run incidents the day prior. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (DCSO), on Dec. 10, at approximately 6:45 p.m., DCSO deputies responded to a complaint of a rear-end hit-and-run crash on Hwy. 20 in Sisters. A red, 2003 Chrysler van driven by DANIEL SHOWEN, 26, of Bend, was hit from behind by the Nissan Maxima. SHOWEN stopped to exchange information when the Maxima pulled away at high speed. SHOWEN was able to obtain the Maxima's license plate number and called 911 to report the incident. Deputies responded to the area to search for the vehicle but were unable to locate it and are following up on an additional report of a second vehicle hit by the Maxima just east of Sisters. No further details are available at this time.
Speed is being investigated as a possible factor in this incident. However, the reasons why the vehicle left the roadway are still unclear. Troopers believe the Maxima was obscured by steep terrain and trees that made it difficult to see from the roadway at night. Additionally, foggy conditions and a lack of lighting on the vehicle added to its concealment and the delay in its discovery.
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is assisting OSP in conducting follow-up interviews with the other drivers involved in this incident. Additionally, anyone who witnessed either crash in Sisters or who may have seen the vehicle thereafter is asked to contact Senior Trooper Terry Miller at the Bend Patrol Office, (541) 388-6213
OSP was assisted at the scene by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Oregon Department of Transportation, Cloverdale Fire District, Black Butte Police Department, Yamhill County Sheriff's Office and the Deschutes County Medical Examiner's offiice.
On Thursday, Dec. 11, at approximately 8:42 a.m., OSP troopers were dispatched to a report of a vehicle down an embankment on Hwy. 20 at milepost 5, near Cloverdale Road. According to troopers at the scene, a Yamhill County Sheriff's captain was returning to Yamhill County from Bend and noticed the vehicle, described as a black 2000 Nissan Maxima, 100 feet or more down a steep embankment and on its side. The captain walked down to the vehicle and discovered its driver, identified as CHRIS P. DAHL, 52, of Camp Sherman, deceased beneath the vehicle. DAHL was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and was ejected.
Additional investigation into this crash indicates DAHL's vehicle may have been involved in two hit-and-run incidents the day prior. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (DCSO), on Dec. 10, at approximately 6:45 p.m., DCSO deputies responded to a complaint of a rear-end hit-and-run crash on Hwy. 20 in Sisters. A red, 2003 Chrysler van driven by DANIEL SHOWEN, 26, of Bend, was hit from behind by the Nissan Maxima. SHOWEN stopped to exchange information when the Maxima pulled away at high speed. SHOWEN was able to obtain the Maxima's license plate number and called 911 to report the incident. Deputies responded to the area to search for the vehicle but were unable to locate it and are following up on an additional report of a second vehicle hit by the Maxima just east of Sisters. No further details are available at this time.
Speed is being investigated as a possible factor in this incident. However, the reasons why the vehicle left the roadway are still unclear. Troopers believe the Maxima was obscured by steep terrain and trees that made it difficult to see from the roadway at night. Additionally, foggy conditions and a lack of lighting on the vehicle added to its concealment and the delay in its discovery.
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is assisting OSP in conducting follow-up interviews with the other drivers involved in this incident. Additionally, anyone who witnessed either crash in Sisters or who may have seen the vehicle thereafter is asked to contact Senior Trooper Terry Miller at the Bend Patrol Office, (541) 388-6213
OSP was assisted at the scene by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Oregon Department of Transportation, Cloverdale Fire District, Black Butte Police Department, Yamhill County Sheriff's Office and the Deschutes County Medical Examiner's offiice.