Redmond woman critically hurt in motorcycle-semi crash
A Redmond woman was critically injured Monday night in a collision between her motorcycle and a semi-truck on South Highway 97, police said Tuesday.
Redmond police and fire crews, Oregon State Police troopers and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded shortly before 11 p.m. to the reported crash about three-quarters of a mile north of Yew Avenue, said police Lt. Keith Knight.
Officers on scene used a tourniquet and other first-aid measures for the motorcycle rider, identified as Denise Campbell, 50, Knight said. Redmond Fire medics took her by ambulance to the St. Charles Bend trauma unit. Life Flight was called, but due to response time, it was deemed in the rider’s best interest to transport to Bend by ambulance, the lieutenant said.
Campbell, who was wearing a helmet and other protective gear at the time of the crash, was reported in critical condition Tuesday at St. Charles Bend, a hospital spokeswoman said.
A preliminary investigation by Redmond police, assisted by OSP and sheriff’s deputies, indicated Campbell was pulling out of the Timbers Tavern parking lot onto Highway 97 to head north, Knight said.
The semi, driven by Sarbjit Nannar, 55, of California, was heading south on the highway in the right-hand lane. From evidence on scene, Knight said, Nannar tried to brake and move into the left-hand lane in an unsuccessful effort to avoid the crash.
Alcohol use by the motorcyclist is believed to be a factor in the crash, Knight said. He added that the truck driver has been cooperating in the investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has pertinent information for the investigation is asked to contact Redmond police through the county non-emergency dispatch number at 541-693-6911 and refer to case No. 17-235302.
Knight said Redmond police want to remind drivers to look both ways and make sure the road is clear before entering the highway, and for motorists on the highway to be watchful for people entering or leaving driveways or side streets.
“Please use alcohol responsibly and do not drive while intoxicated,” Knight added in a news release.
