Wash. cyclist dies after being struck by car on Hwy. 97 south of Redmond

(Update: Oregon State Police confirm cyclist's death)

Early-morning crash closed highway; cyclist flown to hospital

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A bicyclist from Washington state has died after his bicycle was struck by a car on U.S. Highway 97 south of Redmond early Wednesday morning, Oregon State Police confirmed Thursday.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, Oregon State Police, ODOT and Redmond Fire and Rescue responded just after 3:30 a.m. to the reported crash in the 6400 block of South Highway 97, fire Battalion Chief Ken Brown said.

Crews arrived to find a semi-conscious adult bicyclist in the middle of the southbound lanes, Brown said.

State Police said an investigation determined that Jeremy James, 41, of Washington state was riding a bike southbound in the inside, "A" lane when he was struck by a southbound car driven by a 19-year-old Redmond resident.

“This area of the highway is not lighted and (James) was wearing dark-colored clothing, headphones and had no visible lights,” OSP Captain Tim Fox said.

Fire medics treated James for life-threatening injuries, then transferred care to a Life Flight air ambulance crew that took him to St. Charles Bend. OSP Captain Tim Fox said he died Wednesday night.

The car’s driver had minor injuries and chose to seek medical attention on their own, if needed, Brown said.

The crash closed the highway in both directions for about 2 1/2 hours at Quarry Avenue, near milepost 125, authorities said.