Calif. man arrested in Sisters DUII head-on crash

(Update: Adding comments from crash victim)

A California man was arrested on DUII, assault and reckless driving charges after his SUV slammed head-on into a pickup truck driven by a Sisters woman delivering newspapers early Wednesday, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies and Sisters Fire Department medics were dispatched shortly after 5 a.m. to the crash in the 800 block of South Locust Street, sheriff’s Lt. Mike Biondi said. They arrived to find the vehicles blocking the southbound lane.

Investigating deputies learned Breanna McClung, 25, of Sisters, had just begun her newspaper delivery route and her 1997 Ford Explorer ws stopped, facing northbound on the southbound shoulder of the road as she dispensed papers.

McClung said saw a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek driven by Timothy Yett, 55, of Yosemite, California, heading south on Locust Street at a high rate of speed.

Biondi said Yetti’s SUV hit McClung’s pickup with enough force to push it backwards more than 30 feet on the snow-covered road.

McClung was taken to St. Charles Redmond with non-life-threatening injuries, the lieutenant said. She was listed in fair condition late Wednesday night, according to a house supervisor.

Yett was arrested on charges of third-degree assault, DUII and reckless driving and taken to the Deschutes County Jail in Bend. Yett’s bail was set at $20,000, but he met release criteria and was later released on his own recognizance, a jail officer said.

McClung, who was being discharged from the hospital Thursday, shared her experiences in a posting to KTVZ’s Facebook page Thursday, saying she is 8 months pregnant and “extremely thankful that both me and my unborn son are doing well. My boy is constantly kicking and is as strong as ever.”

As for the crash, she said, “I saw his headlights, I heard the impact and the next thing I know, I’m pushing the air bag out of my face.”

“Once alcohol touches your lips, you are not safe to drive,” McClung wrote. “If you are out and about, please make sure you have a completely sober driver. It’s not worth the risk! Remember to slow down and enjoy the little things in life.”