Pickup, minivan collide head-on, closing Bend Parkway

BEND, Ore. — Police say a pickup driver who suffered a "medical event" on the Bend Parkway veered into the opposite lanes and crashed head-on into a minivan, causing the parkway to be shut down for hours Wednesday. The minivan driver was partially ejected and suffered life-threatening injuries.

The crash was reported around 8:11 a.m. Bend Police said it initially closed both directions of the Parkway. By 9:15 a.m., the southbound passing lane and both northbound lanes remained closed.

Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said officers found a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by a 61-year-old Bend man, had been headed southbound. The driver had a medical event and veered into the northbound lanes, hitting the Toyota Sienna head-on. The Sienna driver, a 21-year-old Bend woman, was partially ejected.

Both drivers were transported to St. Charles Medical Center. The Sienna driver was reported to have life threatening injuries.

The driver of the Silverado was cited for careless driving – causing an accident. Miller said she could not elaborate on what the "medical event" was that the driver suffered.

Both vehicles were heavily damaged in the southbound lanes at the Reed Market overpass. The pickup’s hood was torn off while the other vehicle — an SUV or minivan — had major damage all the way around. There was also what appeared to be some substance on the ground.

The highway was back open to all traffic around 11:15 a.m.

Author: Central Oregon Daily News
Go to Source

News post in at: May 8, 2025, 3:01 am.

Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News.Science – News Science