No serious injuries in La Pine Hwy. 97 crash

A 5-year-old girl received minor injuries and a La Pine man was cited after a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 at Rosland Road Monday evening, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies reported.

Deputies were dispatched around 6:50 p.m. to the area for a crash involving a red 1988 Ford Bronco and white 1995 Dodge half-ton pickup truck, said sheriff’s Lt. Bryan Husband. Oregon State Police, La Pine Fire medics and ODOT crews also responded.

An investigation found that the Bronco’s driver, Jessie Andresen, 26, of La Pine, was stopped at the Rosland Road stop sign, waiting to turn left (south) onto Highway 97, Husband said.

Andresen’s passengers included his wife, Jessica Worley, 24, and their 5-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son, in child restraints in the rear seats, the lieutenant said.

Heath Hansen, 37, of Eugene, was at the wheel of the Dodge truck and was heading north on the highway, approaching Rosland Road.

A semi truck heading north in front of Hansen’s pickup was turning east (right) onto Rosland Road. Husband said Andresen’s view was obstructed by the semi and he pulled out onto the highway, not seeing Hansen’s pickup.

Hansen, who was going about 35 mph, was unable to stop in time, and his pickup struck the driver’s side of Andresen’s Bronco in the northbound lane.

All involved were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, Husband said.

The 5-year-old girl was taken by fire medics to St. Charles-Bend with what Husband said were minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Andresen was cited for driving with a suspended license after the crash, which shut Highway 97 in both directions for about 40 minutes.

The Bronco had major driver’s side damage and was towed from the scene by Central Oregon Towing. The Dodge pickup sustained major front-end damage but was able to be driven from the scene, Husband said.