Madras man arrested in injury DUII crash

Oregon State Police arrested a 52-year-old Madras man on DUII and assault charges after his car struck a Madras woman in a downtown crosswalk, sending her to the hospital with serious injuries, authorities said.

Police and medics were called to Sixth and Oak Street, just east of Highway 97, around 9 p.m., Jefferson County authorities said.

OSP troopers were called in about a half-hour later to assist Madras police at the scene of the crash, which was witnessed by a Madras reserve police officer, said OSP Lt. Gregg Hastings.

A preliminary investigation found that Sara Ronning, 36, was hit by the car driven by Gerald Edwin Scharen, 52, while crossing the street with a friend, in a marked crosswalk, Hastings said.

Ronning was listed in fair condition Monday morning at St. Charles-Bend, a nursing supervisor said.

Scharen was arrested and lodged in the Jefferson County Jail, held without bail pending arraignment on DUII and second degree assault charges, jail records showed.

Jefferson County District Attorney Steve Leriche responded to the scene to assist in the investigation, Hastings said. OSP also was assisted at the scene by Jefferson County Fire District No. 1.

The crash and investigation shut Highway 97 for a time, and a detour was put in place.