On May 17, 2016 at about 2:09PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a multiple vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 100 (intersection of Bear Lane, south of Madras).
Preliminary investigation revealed a 2003 Pontiac van was traveling northbound on Highway 97 when it stopped in the lane of travel in preparation to make a left turn onto Bear Lane (waiting for southbound traffic to pass).
While waiting to make a left turn, an unknown vehicle that had also been traveling northbound on Highway 97 almost rear-ended the Pontiac but passed it on the right shoulder. Another northbound vehicle, a 2015 Ford van, could not avoid the Pontiac and rear-ended it at highway speeds. This impact forced the Pontiac into the southbound lane of travel where it collided with a southbound 2008 Honda Accord.
The driver of the Pontiac, Anita J BEMROSE, age 49, of Madras was taken by air ambulance to Saint Charles Bend where she died from her injuries. A 10 year old male passenger was also taken to Saint Charles Bend for life threatening injuries. Two other passengers, a 12 year old male and 14 year old male, were pronounced deceased on scene. All passengers were sons to the deceased driver.
The driver of the Honda, Shirley AYRES, age 69, of Madras was transported to Saint Charles Madras for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford, Bryan MCDONALD, age 41, of Redmond, was taken to Saint Charles Redmond for non-life threatening injuries.
OSP is seeking the public's assistance if anyone has knowledge identifying the operator of the unknown vehicle who nearly collided with the stopped Pontiac. Anyone will information is asked to call the Oregon State Police at 503-375-3555.
This is a preliminary release. More information will be released when it becomes available.
Preliminary investigation revealed a 2003 Pontiac van was traveling northbound on Highway 97 when it stopped in the lane of travel in preparation to make a left turn onto Bear Lane (waiting for southbound traffic to pass).
While waiting to make a left turn, an unknown vehicle that had also been traveling northbound on Highway 97 almost rear-ended the Pontiac but passed it on the right shoulder. Another northbound vehicle, a 2015 Ford van, could not avoid the Pontiac and rear-ended it at highway speeds. This impact forced the Pontiac into the southbound lane of travel where it collided with a southbound 2008 Honda Accord.
The driver of the Pontiac, Anita J BEMROSE, age 49, of Madras was taken by air ambulance to Saint Charles Bend where she died from her injuries. A 10 year old male passenger was also taken to Saint Charles Bend for life threatening injuries. Two other passengers, a 12 year old male and 14 year old male, were pronounced deceased on scene. All passengers were sons to the deceased driver.
The driver of the Honda, Shirley AYRES, age 69, of Madras was transported to Saint Charles Madras for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford, Bryan MCDONALD, age 41, of Redmond, was taken to Saint Charles Redmond for non-life threatening injuries.
OSP is seeking the public's assistance if anyone has knowledge identifying the operator of the unknown vehicle who nearly collided with the stopped Pontiac. Anyone will information is asked to call the Oregon State Police at 503-375-3555.
This is a preliminary release. More information will be released when it becomes available.