Sisters man hurt, Bend woman cited in Hwy. 20 crash

A Sisters man was hospitalized and a Bend woman was cited after she turned left into the path of another car and they collided on Highway 20 in Tumalo early Wednesday evening, Deschutes County sheriff’s officers said.

Deputies were called around 5:30 p.m. to the crash on Highway 20 at Fifth Street, said Sgt. Kevin Dizney. Dispatchers said two cars were involved, with air bag deployment, and were blocking westbound travel.

An initial investigation found that Jennifer Porter, 31, of Bend, was heading east on Highway 20 at the wheel of a 1992 Ford Thunderbird and tried to turn left onto Fifth Street, turning into the path of a 2009 Honda Fit driven by David Ransom, 48 of Sisters, Dizney said.

As a result, Ransom’s car struck the passenger side of Porter’s car. Both drivers were taken to St. Charles Bend with non-life-threatening injuries. A hospital spokeswoman said Ransom was in good condition Thursday and Porter was not at the hospital.

Porter was issued citations for driving with a suspended license and performing a dangerous left turn, Dizney said. He added that speed, alcohol drugs and distracted driving were not believed to be factors in the crash.

The crash shut the westbound lane of the highway for about 45 minutes, with traffic rerouted through Tumalo and around the crash scene.

Deputies were assisted by Bend Fire Department medics, ODOT and Oregon State Police. Both cars were towed from the scene.