OSP: Struck Redmond PD car was making U-turn

Two Redmond police cars on their way to a reported fight at a home collided Monday afternoon when one officer began making a U-turn and his car was struck by the one following him, Oregon State Police said Tuesday.

The second patrol car then struck a third car, a 3-car crash that sent two drivers to the hospital with minor injuries, they added.

OSP was called in to investigate the crash, which occurred around 3:10 p.m. near the intersection of SW Salmon Avenue and 24th Street, near the home where the disturbance was reportedly occurring.

Officer Jered Kirk was driving a Ford Crown Victoria patrol car ahead of a Ford Explorer driven by Sgt. Aaron Wells, troopers said. Both marked cars were heading west on Salmon Avenue, with lights and sirens on.

As officers approached the scene, dispatchers told them a suspect in the alleged fight had fled west from the scene, troopers said.

Kirk pulled his car toward the right shoulder and was making a U-turn when it was hit in the left side by Wells’ Explorer, they said.

Wells’ car then collided with an oncoming 2000 Chevy Impala, Salmon Avenue driven by Ashley Maxey, 23, of Redmond.

Kirk and Maxey were taken by ambulance to St. Charles Redmond, where both were treated for minor injuries and released, OSP reported, adding that Wells was unhurt.

OSP troopers from the Bend Area Command office are continuing their investigation, the report said, adding that no enforcement action has been taken “at this time.”

In a Facebook posting on the crash, Redmond police said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved in this incident and (are) hoping for quick recovery.”

“The officer is doing okay,” Redmond police Officer Lee Gilbert said Monday night. “He was released earlier tonight and is expected to have a full recovery.”

Neighbors near the scene pointed us to a home on Salmon Avenue near the scene of the crash.

The woman in the home, who declined to go on camera, told NewsChannel 21 she was the one who called police to the scene after a fight broke out on her front lawn.

Redmond police thanked those who offered support after the crash.

“We’ve gotten a lot of support and concern from a lot of people in the area and appreciate their concern,” Gilbert said. “We’re doing okay.”