One Prineville driver jailed, one injured in pickup crashes

Two pickup truck crashes kept Crook County sheriff’s deputies busy Saturday morning – the first hitting a motor home and power line, leading to a Prineville woman’s DUII arrest, and the second a rollover crash on an icy road that sent the injured driver to the hospital and left two of her three dogs missing for a time.

Shortly before 3 a.m., deputies, along with Crook County Fire and Rescue and Prineville police, were dispatched to a crash on Lamonta Road near Grass Lane, northwest of Prineville, said Sgt. Bill Elliott. They were told a vehicle had left the road, went through a fence and struck an occupied motor home, he said.

Deputies found a 2006 Ford F150 driven by Ashley Hixon, 26, of Prineville. It had severe front-end damage, with Hixon trapped in the passenger seat, Elliott said.

Deputies removed Hixon from the pickup and the woman declined medical treatment. Elliott said it was learned a live power line in a conduit was lying on the pickup, but Crook County firefighters were able to disconnect the power.

Elliott said deputies determined Hixon was heading north on Lamonta Road when she lost control of the pickup, which crossed the center line, going through a fence before hitting the motor home.

Hixon was arrested on DUII charges and taken to the county jail, Elliott said. She had been released from jail later in the day, online records showed.

Around 7:30 a.m., deputies were dispatched to Highway 380 (the Paulina Highway) near milepost 39, southeast of Prineville, on a report of a single-vehicle crash blocking a lane of traffic, said Sgt. Travis Jurgens.

They arrived and found a 2000 Ford F350 on its wheels, partly blocking the southbound lane, he said.

The driver, identified as Amber Blasdell, 26, of Prineville, already was out of the truck, lying on the ground. Jurgens said passers-by who had stopped supplied her with coats and blankets to keep her warm.

An investigation found Blasdell was heading east on the highway when she lost control due to icy conditions, the sergeant said. Her pickup began to spin out of control, leaving the south side of the highway and rolling once before coming to rest.

Blasdell, who was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash, was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Prineville with unknown injuries, Jurgens said.

The woman had three dogs riding with her at the time of the crash, all of which were thrown from the truck, the sergeant said. One dog that was lying with Blasdell later was taken by deputies to Prineville Veterinary Clinic. The other two dogs were seen running west on the highway toward the small town of Post.

The two dogs reportedly were found later, according to Facebook postings.

The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by several citizens who stopped and helped Blasdell and with traffic control. Assistance also was provided by Oregon State Police, ODOT and Crook County Fire and Rescue.