Bend police seek more witnesses in Hwy. 20E crash

Bend police said Wednesday they are still investigating Monday evening’s crash on Hwy. 20E that left a 16-year-old motorcycle rider with serious injuries, but that the driver of the pickup that struck him was not using a cell phone or speeding at the time of the collision.

The crash was reported around 5:30 p.m. Monday east of Pilot Butte, near Smolich Motors at 1835 NE Hwy. 20.

Police said the 16-year-old Bend boy operating the 2009 blue Kawasaki 600cc motorcycle apparently slowed down or stopped and a pickup truck struck it from behind.

The rider was taken to St. Charles Medical Center-Bend, where he remained hospitalized Tuesday.

Police said he suffered several broken bones and a spine fracture but is expected to survive. Officers also said he was wearing a helmet.

Lt. Chris Carney said Wednesday a preliminary investigation found the driver of the white 2000 Ford F250 pickup, a 46-year-old Bend man, was not using a cell phone or driving at excessive speed at the time of the crash.

However, he said, the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation and no citations have been issued. He asked that anyone who witnessed the crash and has not been interviewed to contact police at (541) 322-2960.

Police detoured eastbound Hwy. 20 traffic south onto 15th Street for about four hours due to the crash investigation.