Bend man improving after Hwy. 97 crash south of Madras
A 33-year-old Bend man improved to fair condition Friday at a Bend hospital after his speeding car – a few minutes earlier estimated going about 95 mph — crashed into the back of a hay truck turning onto Highway 97 south of Madras Thursday evening, Oregon State Police reported.
Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, a semi pulling two trailers loaded with hay was turning left from Ford Lane onto Highway 97, going north at Ford Lane, said OSP Captain Bill Fugate.
The driver of the 1991 Peterbilt truck, identified as Jerry Koolhaas , 64,of Madras, “made sure it was clear” and entered the highway, Fugate said, relaying a trooper’s log entry of information.
A 1997 red Saturn SL 2 driven by Enrique Martinez Lopez “was traveling at a high rate of speed and struck the last axle of the second trailer,” the troopers’ log entry stated.
Traffic was shut down for a time while an air ambulance landed to take Martinez Lopes to St. Charles Bend, where he was listed in critical condition on Friday morning but had improved for fair condition by late afternoon, hospital officials said.
The truck driver stayed on scene and fully cooperated with the investigation, he added.
A witness passed by the Saturn’s driver two miles before the crash estimated his speed at 95 mph, troopers said. Fugate said the crash remained under investigation and more details could be released later.
