OSP seeks info in Hwy. 97 crash north of Madras

(Update: OSP says driver in crash had non-life-threatening injuries)

Oregon State Police are seeking witnesses and information about a fiery crash on Highway 97 north of Madras on Sunday in which one driver passed another and cut in front, causing the other driver to swerve and crash through a fence.

The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. Sunday on Highway 97 about five miles north of Madras, OSP Captain Tim Fox said Monday.

Fox said an orange Subaru Cross Trek was heading north when it was passed by a late-model, dark-colored sedan, Fox said.

The sedan cut in front of the Subaru, forcing the driver to swerve and brake hard to avoid a collision, the captain said.

The Subaru then left the highway, crashed through a fence and caught fire in a field.

Senior Trooper Jess Oliver said the driver, a Madras woman, was taken to St. Charles Madras for evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries. A passenger had minor injuries and was not transported.

Oliver said the car’s two occupants and another motorist gave the same account of what happened, though none had a more detailed description of the other car.

OSP asked anyone with any information to contact Oliver at jess.oliver@state.or.us or by cell at 541-531-5876.