Idaho man killed in Hwy. 20 crash E. of Bend

One Idaho man was killed and another critically injured late Sunday afternoon when their pickup truck left Highway 20E and overturned about 30 miles east of Bend, Oregon State Police said Monday.

The crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. near milepost 31, about six miles east of Millican and near the intersection with George Millican Road, troopers said.

According to Lt. Gregg Hastings, the 1998 Dodge pickup was being driven by Matthew A. Dreyer, 35, of Star, Idaho, and was heading west, negotiating a curve, when it went off the side of the highway.

Dreyer over-corrected, trying to bring the truck back under control, but it rolled an unknown number of times before coming to rest off the south side of the highway, the trooper said.

Passenger Christopher H. Johanson, 36, of Middleton, Idaho, was partially ejected from the truck and pronounced dead at the scene.

Dreyer was thrown from the truck and taken by AirLink helicopter to St. Charles-Bend, where he was listed in critical condition Monday morning.

Alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor in the crash, Hastings said, adding that seat belt use is pending confirmation.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, ODOT and fire personnel.

The crash blocked the highway for over an hour and the eastbound lane remained closed for a time after that.