Two Bend-area crashes bring DUII arrests

Two single-vehicle crashes within 20 minutes early Saturday – one on Bend’s Westside, the other in Deschutes River Woods – led to the arrest and jailing of the drivers on DUII and other charges, though both were released later in the morning, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. One hit a power pole and knocked out power to about 70 homes in DRW.

Deputies were dispatched around 3:20 a.m. to the 19000 block of Shoshone Road on the first reported crash, said sheriff’s Sgt. Bryan Husband.

An investigation found that a gold Subaru Forester had been heading west on Shoshone and failed to negotiate a left-hand corner, crashing into a Pacific Power pole, Husband said. That downed power lines in the area, blacking out about 70 homes. The SUV sustained major front-end damage, he added.

Deputies, assisted by Oregon State Police, arrived and found the driver, Ahou Neely, 33, at his home nearby, Husband said.

Neely was arrested on two felony charges – DUII and driving with a suspended license, Husband said.

Neely and his passenger, Alex Arbona, 21, were unhurt in the crash, the sergeant said, adding that both were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash, and both front airbags deployed. Consolidated Towing was dispatched to tow the Subaru from the scene, Husband said.

About 20 minutes later, deputies were dispatched to milepost 5 on Century Drive, near the Widgi Creek Golf Course, on a reported single-vehicle rollover crash, Husband said.

Deputies and Oregon State Police went to the area and conducted an investigation. They determined a silver 2007 Kia Optima was speeding northbound on Century Drive when the driver, identified as Kristine Garnica, 26, of Bend, lost control, Husband said.

The Kia left the east side of the road, rolling at least once and coming to reset on its top about 50 feet off the road, Husband said.

Garnica and passenger Amybeth Bonnell, 25, of Colorado, got out of the car on their own before police arrived, Husband said. Both had been wearing their seatbelts and the airbags did not deploy, he added.

Bend fire medics responded to the scene, checked both occupants for minor injuries and treated and released them at the scene, Husband said.

Garnica was arrested on DUII and reckless driving charges.

The Kia received major damage, and American Towing towed it from the scene.

A jail officer said both drivers had been released within a few hours, apparently to responsible third parties.