Update: A tire malfunction (blow out) on the pickup prior to it crossing the centerline is being investigated as a possible contributing factor cause of this crash.
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Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Sunday afternoon's two vehicle serious injury head-on crash along Highway 26 west of Madras. Four people were injured, three of which went to area hospitals.
According to Sergeant John Russo, on May 25, 2014 at approximately 12:00 p.m., a 2000 Ford pickup driven by DANIELLE M. THOMPSON, age 39, from Redmond, was traveling eastbound on Highway 26 near milepost 109 when it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a westbound 2011 Chevrolet Aveo driven by ALEXIS BENNETT, age 27, from Vancouver, Washington.
BENNETT was seriously injured and transported by air ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Passengers TIMOTHY WEEKS, age 40, from Vancouver, and KATHERINE PERDUE, age 26, from Simi Valley, California, were transported by ground ambulance to St. Charles - Madras with minor injuries.
THOMPSON was checked at the scene for minor injuries. She was driven from the scene by family members.
OSP troopers from Madras and Bend responded to the scene to investigate. OSP was assisted by Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and local fire and medical personnel.
All lanes were open about 2 hours later.
Photograph - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Sunday afternoon's two vehicle serious injury head-on crash along Highway 26 west of Madras. Four people were injured, three of which went to area hospitals.
According to Sergeant John Russo, on May 25, 2014 at approximately 12:00 p.m., a 2000 Ford pickup driven by DANIELLE M. THOMPSON, age 39, from Redmond, was traveling eastbound on Highway 26 near milepost 109 when it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a westbound 2011 Chevrolet Aveo driven by ALEXIS BENNETT, age 27, from Vancouver, Washington.
BENNETT was seriously injured and transported by air ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Passengers TIMOTHY WEEKS, age 40, from Vancouver, and KATHERINE PERDUE, age 26, from Simi Valley, California, were transported by ground ambulance to St. Charles - Madras with minor injuries.
THOMPSON was checked at the scene for minor injuries. She was driven from the scene by family members.
OSP troopers from Madras and Bend responded to the scene to investigate. OSP was assisted by Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and local fire and medical personnel.
All lanes were open about 2 hours later.
Photograph - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###