OSP seeks car seen near fatal Hwy. 97 crash
Oregon State Police said Friday they are looking for a green mid-’90s Honda Accord and its driver who witnesses saw in the vicinity of of a fatal May 22nd car-motorcycle crash on Highway 97 near Lava Butte, south of Bend.
OSP troopers investigating the cause of the crash are looking for the lone occupant of the car that witnesses have mentioned was in the vicinity of the two involved vehicles. Anyone with information specific to the mentioned vehicle known to be traveling in the area at the time of the crash is asked to contact Trooper Justin Lane at (541) 388-6213 ext 5128.
The ongoing investigation has led OSP to look for a green mid-90s Honda Accord four-door sedan with unknown Oregon license plates.
Based upon information from witnesses, a photo of the style of vehicle was distributed, althought troopers said the shade of green could be darker than shown in the photograph. It may have a sunroof, light colored interior, and no special wheels. No bumper stickers were seen on the vehicle, which was occupied by one person described ss a caucasian adult male with a shaved head or receeding hairline.
On May 22nd at around 5:40 p.m., a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle and a 1998 Ford Mustang northbound on Highway 97 near milepost 149 in the vicinity of Lava Butte were involved in a collision.
The motorcycle with two occupants then crashed into the center concrete barrier before coming to rest on the highway several hundred feet from the estimated point of impact. The Ford Mustang with one occupant came to rest on its top off the side of the highway.
The female motorcycle passenger identified as Lisa Michele Tomlin Grall, 53, from southeast Portland, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The male operator, Phllip Martin Branum, 62, of La Pine, was flown by air ambulance to St. Charles Bend with serious, non-life threatening injuries. Both were wearing helmets, troopers said..
The car’s driver, Cory McBride, 27, from Tucson, Arizona, was seriously injured and taken by ambulance to the Bend hospital with injuries reported as non-life threatening.
OSP troopers and a collision reconstructionist from Bend and La Pine offices are leading the investigation. Additional details regarding the manner and cause of the crash are still being withheld pending the ongoing investigation.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Fire Department and ODOT.
