Redmond man killed in Hwy. 26 crash west of Madras

A 25-year-old Redmond man was killed early Sunday morning when his car left Highway 26 west of Madras and rolled several times, throwing him from the vehicle, Oregon State Police said.

Damien Philip Plazola, 25, of Redmond died in the crash that occurred around 2 a.m. about six miles west of Madras, troopers said.

According to Sgt. Keith Taylor, a 1988 Toyota Corolla two-door driven by Plazola was westbound on Highway 26 near milepost 111 when it traveled off the highway.

Plazola apparently over-corrected in an attempt to return to the roadway and the car rolled several times across the road before it came to rest on its wheels off the highway.

Plazola, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car and pronounced dead at the scene.

OSP troopers from Bend and Madras offices responded to investigate. Alcohol is a possible contributing factor, troopers said. Trooper Jake Lorentz is the lead investigator.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County EMS, Jefferson County medical examiner and ODOT assisted at the scene. The crash and investigation shut the highway for about three hours.