Four injured in two-car Sisters crash

Four people, two of them children, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries after a two-car collision in Sisters Wednesday afternoon, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies and Sisters/Camp Sherman Fire Department crews were dispatched around 3:15 p.m. to the crash at the intersection of Highway 20 and McKinney Butte Road, said sheriff’s Sgt. Deke DeMars.

They arrived to find Amber Lynnae Plant, 35, of Redmond, had to be cut out of her white 2011 Jeep Compass by fire crews, DeMars said. Plant and her two children, a 12-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl, were taken by ambulance to St. Charles-Bend for treatment, he said, adding that the children were able to get out of the car on their own.

A maroon 2001 PT Cruiser driven by Dixie Lauaghn Morken, 84, of Sisters, also was blocking the road, DeMars said. She also was able to get out of her car and was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Family Care Center in Sisters.

An investigation found that Morken was stopped at the intersection of McKinney Butte Road, on the south side of Highway 20. DeMars said she was trying to cross the intersection and continue north onto West Barclay Drive, but her view was obstructed by a large semi truck that was in the center turn lane at the intersection.

As Morken crossed the intersection, she was hit by Plant’s Jeep, which was heading west on Highway 20, the sergeant said. Plant was unable to see Morken’s vehicle, as her view also was blocked by the tractor-trailer, according to DeMars.

The airbags in Plant’s Jeep deployed upon impact, DeMars said, and everyone in both vehicles were wearing seat belts. Speed and alcohol were not believed to be factors in the crash, he added.

Highway 20 was briefly shut down while Plant was being removed from her car and as both vehicles were removed from the scene by Davis Towing, DeMars said. Oregon State Police assisted with traffic control.