Sutherlin woman killed in Santiam Junction crash

(Updated with names, details from OSP)

A 63-year-old Sutherlin woman was killed Monday when the pickup in which she was riding with her husband turned into the path of another pickup at Santiam Junction, near Santiam Pass west of Sisters, Oregon State Police reported.

Troopers and emergency personnel responded shortly after 10 a.m. to the reported two-vehicle crash on Highway 20 near milepost 75, said OSP Sgt. Kyle Hove.

A preliminary investigation found that a green 2001 Toyota Tacoma driven by Lucas Ettinger, 33, of Salem, was heading east on Highway 20 at the junction when a 1993 Ford F-250 pickup driven by Willard Metzler II, with passenger Dana Metzler, 63, both of Sutherlin, was heading west and turned into the Toyota’s path, Hove said.

The two trucks collided nearly head-on, the trooper said. Dana Metzler suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other occupants received minor injuries and were taken by third-party vehicles for treatment, Hove said.

The crash and investigation closed Highway 20 at the junction for about an hour. One lane was opened for two hours until the other lane also could reopen.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department, Black Butte Ranch Police Department and Oregon Department of Transportation.

Hove said the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released when available.