Driver charged, passenger hurt in Hwy. 97-Cooley crash

A driver heading south on Highway 97 at Bend’s north end ran a red light and hit a car crossing the highway at Cooley Road Sunday afternoon, sending one passenger to the hospital with minor injuries and leading to charges against the offending driver, police said.

Bend police and fire medics responded shortly before 3 p.m. to the crash at the intersection, with callers reporting all lanes were blocked and at least one injury, said police Lt. Ken Mannix.

An investigation found that Aubri Kahahlekulu, 20, of Benicia, Calif., was heading south on the highway and failed to obey the red light, running the intersection at about 40 to 50 mph, Mannix said.

A second vehicle driven by Renate Sapolis, 70, of Bend, was heading east on Cooley and crossing the highway when it was struck. Mannix said both vehicles sustained significant damage and were towed from the scene.

A 22-year-old passenger in Kahalekulu’s car was taken to St. Charles Bend with what police said were minor injuries.

Kahalekulu was cited for reckless driving and failure to obey a traffic control device.

The crash and investigation prompted closure, then rerouting of southbound lanes of the highway, while northbound traffic was restricted to one lane.

Agencies assisting at the scene included Oregon State Police, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.