Two people hurt in Hwy. 20W crash east of Sisters

Two people were taken to a Bend hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries Monday afternoon after a nearly head-on crash on Highway 20 West between Bend and Sisters, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies were dispatched shortly after 4 p.m. to the crash near Sagebrush lane, east of Sisters, said Lt. Bryan Husband. Cloverdale and Sisters fire medics and ODOT personnel also responded to assist.

An investigation found that Patricia Farris, 83, of Bend, was driving a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV heading west on the highway, while Scott Shaw, 53, of Myrtle Point, was heading east in a 2008 Chevy Silverado crew-cab pickup truck towing a 22-foot 2000 Prowler travel trailer, Husband said.

Farris was alone and Shaw had a passenger, Kerry Ferguson, 53, of Toledo. Husband said all three were wearing their seat belts.

For an unknown reason, Farris’s SUV drifted across the highway into the eastbound lanes, almost completely to the eastbound shoulder, the lieutenant said.

Shaw tried to maneuver to the left to avoid hitting Farris but was unable to avoid the collision in his lane of travel, Husband said.

The Santa Fe came to rest on the eastbound shoulder and travel lane, while the Silverado came to a stop on the westbound shoulder and lane. Husband said vehicle parts were strewn across the highway, and travel was stopped in both directions for about a half-hour.

Farris and Ferguson were taken by ambulance to St. Charles-Bend with non-life-threatening injuries, Husband said; a nursing supervisor said Farris was in fair condition Monday night and Ferguson had been treated and released.

Shaw was treated at the scene by fire medics and released.

Both vehicle had major front-end damage and were totaled, Husband said. The travel trailer also was damaged near the hitch area. Davis Towing responded and removed the vehicles and trailer.

Air bags deployed in both the pickup and SUV. Husband said alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, and that the investigation was continuing.