Three injured in storm-related Hwy. 97 crash

Two adults and an 8-year-old girl were taken to Madras and Bend hospitals Sunday afternoon after a three-car crash on Highway 97 north of Madras in which mud and debris on the highway during an intense storm was a factor, Oregon State Police said.

Around 4 p.m., a 1994 Chevrolet Corsica driven by Alejandro Magana, 39, from Moses Lake, Washington, was northbound on Highway 97 near milepost 79 when it began to slow down, as did other traffic in both directions due to mud debris on the highway, troopers said.

The Corsica was struck from behind by a 2007 Dodge pickup driven by Nathan Hamlin, 20, of Prineville, causing the car to spin across the highway, where it was struck again in the rear by a southbound 2011 Chevy pickup driven by Brian Meece, 63, from Bend.

Hamlin’s pickup went off the highway into a ditch, where it came to rest on its side, troopers said.

An 8-year old girl in that was trapped and freed from the wreckage by Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 personnel. She was taken to St. Charles-Bend with non-life threatening injuries.

Magana, the girl’s father was taken by ambulance to St. Charles-Madras with minor injuries. His wife/passenger was not injured, troopers said.

Nathan Hamlin also was unhurt, while his passenger, Stefanie Hamlin, 23, was taken to St. Charles-Madras with a possible minor injury. Meece also was not injured.

OSP said they cited Nathan Hamlin for following too closely.

All were using safety restraints.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Fire District #1 and ODOT. The highway was blocked for a brief period until it was cleared.

Senior Trooper James Reeher is the lead investigator.