Three recovering after Hwy. 20 crash near Santiam Pass

Three people were taken to St. Charles Bend with serious injuries, two by helicopter, after a Christmas Eve crash on snowy Highway 20 near Santiam Pass, Oregon State Police said Friday. Two were in fair condition Friday and the other had been released, officials said.

The crash occurred near milepost 80 around 3 p.m. when a black 1997 Pontiac Firebird driven by Albert Payne of Sherwood was heading east and crossed into the oncoming lane, troopers said.

Payne’s car was struck on the passenger side by a black 2006 Toyota XB heading west and driven by Sean McBride of Bend, with passenger Lauranne Crooks.

Payne and Crooks were flown by AirLink and Life Flight helicopters to the Bend hospital, while McBride was taken there by ambulance, OSP and those involved reported.

Payne and Crooks were listed in fair condition Friday, while McBride had been discharged, a nursing supervisor said.

It was the worst of several crashes around the High Desert over the Christmas holiday; the rest were reported to have no serious injuries.