Motorcyclist hurt, driver cited in Hwy. 97 crash
A Bend motorcyclist went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and a Medford driver was cited after a collision on Highway 97 north of Bend that blocked much of the road for about a half-hour Friday afternoon.
Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched around 3:30 p.m. to the reported crash at 61 st Street, between Bend and Redmond, said sheriff’s Sgt. Kevin Dizney.
Deputies arrived to find both southbound lanes blocked, as well as partial blockage of the left-hand northbound lane, Dizney said.
An investigation found that a Toyota Rav SUV driven by Susan Louise Dwyer, 72, of Medford, was trying to turn left, from eastbound 61 st Street onto northbound Highway 97 and turned into the path of a southbound Yamaha XVA motorcycle ridden by Orlando Pallozi, 40, of Bend.
Dwyer, accompanied by two children, ages 5 and 8, said she did not see the approaching motorcycle. Dizney said the front of the SUV collided with the motorcycle, knocking Pallozi to the ground.
Pallozi was taken by Redmond Fire ambulance to St. Charles-Bend, where a nursing supervisor said he was in good condition. No one in the SUV was injured.
Dwyer was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device, Dizney said. The investigation is ongoing, but the sergeant said speed, alcohol or distracted driving don’t appear to be factors in the crash.
The SUV had moderate front-end damage, and both vehicles were towed from the scene. Dizney said crash-scene assistance also was provided by Oregon State Police, ODOT and Bend fire medics.
