Two drivers seriously injured in crash at Highway 97 and Cooley Road

(Update: Oregon State Police provide more details)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A two-vehicle serious-injury crash occurred Wednesday evening at U.S. Highway 97 and Cooley Road on Bend’s north end, slowing traffic, knocking out the traffic signals and blocking Cooley Road access in both directions, authorities said.

The crash was reported around 6:30 p.m. and brought first responders from several agencies to the scene, including a Bend Police Department crash reconstruction team, according to police Communications Manager Sheila Miller.

Oregon State Police said a Subaru driver had stopped on Cooley Road heading east but then entered the intersection on a red light for unknown reasons and was struck in the passenger door by a Cadillac.

Both drivers were seriously injured and taken to St. Charles Bend, the Subaru driver with potentially life-threatening injuries. Troopers said the Subaru also struck the power box for the traffic light, causing heavy damage.

ODOT had advised motorists to expect delays and watch for emergency responders working at the scene. One northbound lane was affected and the traffic signal at the busy intersection lost power as a result of the crash, Region 4 Public Information Officer Kacey Davey said.

Davey said around 8:30 p.m. that electricians estimated power would be out to the signal for some time, with repairs under way. In the meantime, drivers were to treat it as a four-way stop. She said delays and some lane closures would continue until law enforcement concluded their work at the scene.

The signals were restored around 1:45 a.m. Thursday, Davey said.

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