Burns woman killed in Hwy. 20E rollover crash near Brothers

A rollover crash on Highway 20 East killed a 78-year-old Burns woman east of Brothers Thursday afternoon, despite the efforts of citizens who stopped at the scene to render first aid, authorities said.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded around 1:25 p.m. to the reported single-vehicle crash on Highway 20 near milepost 46, about three miles east of Brothers and nearly 50 miles east of Bend, said sheriff’s Sgt. Jayson Janes.

An investigation determined Dorothy Elwood was driving a 1996 Jeep Cherokee heading west when it left the road on the right shoulder, Janes said.

The Jeep left the unpaved road shoulder and crossed sagebrush and rocks, continuing west and crossing a dirt road, causing it to go airborne and roll completely before coming to a stop.

Elwood was given first aid, including CPR and the use of an AED, but succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, Janes said.

Highway 20 was closed intermittently during the investigation of the crash. Although the investigation continues, Janes said alcohol and drugs don’t appear to be factors in the crash.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Bend Fire Department, an AirLink helicopter and ODOT crews.

“The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the citizens who stopped and assisted at the scene and with providing first aid,” Janes wrote in a news release.