Three recovering from Hwy. 20 head-on crash

A Prineville couple were in good condition Sunday at St. Charles Bend, recovering from a head-on crash Saturday morning on icy Highway 20 near Suttle Lake, west of Sisters, authorities said.

Troopers were dispatched shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday to the reported crash near milepost 86 in Jefferson County, troopers said.

A preliminary investigation found that Donald Talbot, 75, of Prineville, was driving a Toyota pickup west on the highway when he lost control on the icy roadway. The pickup crossed into the eastbound lane, where it was struck head-on by a Ford Focus driven by Keats Conley, 22, of Boise, Idaho, OSP reported.

Talbot and his right-front passenger, Jeanie Talbot, 69, were flown by Life Flight helicopter to St Charles Bend with what troopers called serious injuries. Both were listed in good condition Sunday afternoon, according to a nursing supervisor.

Conley was taken by ambulance to the Bend hospital for treatment of minor injuries and she apparently was not admitted, officials said.

All occupants were wearing seatbelts, troopers said.

The crash blocked Highway 20 for about 1 1/2 hours as first responders freed the occupants from their vehicles and treated them. Other motorists, as well as an off-duty ER nurse from St. Charles Redmond, helped care for the injured until medics arrived, troopers said.

OSP was assisted at the scene by ODOT, the Sisters-Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch fire departments and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies.