Ex-Prineville police chief critically hurt in motorcycle-deer crash

A long-time Prineville police chief was critically injured Monday night when his motorcycle collided with a deer on Highway 97 north of Terrebonne, Oregon State Police confirmed.

The crash that injured James Soules, 65, was reported shortly before 9 p.m. at milepost 112, near Quincy Lane, said OSP Capt. Bill Fugate.

Soules was conscious when troopers and medics arrived and an air ambulance was called but canceled, the captain said. Instead, he was taken by ground ambulance to St. Charles Bend, where he remained in critical condition Wednesday, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Soules had been Prineville’s police chief for over 22 years when he retired in 2003, and at that time was the longest-serving city police chief in the state. He also later spent 15 months as police chief in Warm Springs.

Current Police Chief Dale Cummins said he visited with the family Tuesday and learned he’d suffered several broken bones but is expected to recover.

Cummins said Soules has been very involved with the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police in recent years.