Hwy. 97 crash in Redmond sends 2 to hospital
A crash on Highway 97 in Redmond Saturday evening sent two people to the hospital with injuries, one by helicopter, and tied up traffic, police said.
An initial investigation determined that the driver of a 2012 Honda SUV was stopped in the turn lane to turn left into the Taco Bell parking lot near Veterans Way just before 6:30 p.m., said Redmond Police Lt. Jesse Petersen.
The male driver of the SUV apparently turned into the path of a 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup truck that was heading north in the right, “slow” lane, Petersen said.
The collision flipped the SUV onto its side and sent the truck into the fence of Redmond Habitat for Humanity, also striking and damaging an electrical utility box and knocking out power to the Taco Bell, the lieutenant said.
A female passenger in the SUV was flown by Life Flight to St. Charles Bend, while the driver was taken to the hospital by ambulance, Petersen said. The male driver of the pickup, who was alone, sustained minor injuries and did not seek medical attention.
Traffic was detoured onto Veterans Way, until the southbound lanes reopened within about an hour. One northbound lane also reopened, but another was closed longer as the cleanup and investigation continued.
