SUV hits power pole; Prineville driver injured

A Prineville woman was hospitalized after losing control of her SUV on an icy corner north of Prineville and slamming into a power pole, knocking out power in the area, Crook County sheriff’s deputies said. Her two children also were in the vehicle but were unhurt, they said.

Deputies, Prineville police and Crook County Fire and Rescue medics were dispatched around 9:20 p.m. to the reported injury crash on Lamonta Road, near McBethCourt, two miles north of Prineville, said Sgt. James Savage.

Deputies and officers made contact with Cindy Kusmider, 32 and her two children, Savage said. Kusmider suffered serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Pioneer Memorial Hospital, where she was listed in fair condition Wednesday morning.

Savage said Kusmider was driving north on Lamonta Road when she lost control of her 1995 Ford Explorer on the icy corner and struck a Pacific Power power pole.

Several homes in the area lost power for a brief time, and Lamonta Road was closed briefly while crews repaired the damaged power lines.

Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, Savage said, but no citations were issued.

Savage reminded drivers to slow down in winter conditions and allow extra time to reach your destination.