Pickup crashes into La Pine store; no injuries

No one was injured, fortunately, but an 18-year-old Bend resident got a ticket after crashing his pickup truck into Ray’s Food Place in La Pine Wednesday morning – then quickly backing out again, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies responded around 10:20 p.m. to the market at 51537 Highway 97 on a report that a vehicle had driven through the front of the store, then tried to leave, said Sgt. Jayson Janes.

Deputies arrived minutes later and contacted the driver, identified as Nathaniel Stevens, 18, of Bend, Janes said.

Based on the driver’s and witnesses’ statements, Janes said it appears Stevens tried to park in front of the store when his brakes failed and he drove through the store front.

Stevens said he was concerned about people inside the store, so he quickly backed out of the store, causing the pickup to drive over an island in the parking lot and over another curb, going onto Highway 97, the sergeant said. It was then pushed back into the parking lot.

Damage to the store was estimated at more than $8,500.

Janes said Stevens was cited for careless driving and driving uninsured.