Hwy. 20 crash cuts power in Sisters area as rodeo ends

A car crashed into a power pole on Highway 20 east of Sisters Sunday afternoon, downing lines and knocking out power in the area near the end of the final performance of the 75th annual Sisters Rodeo. To make matters worse, a later car fire blocked Hwy. 126 at Cloverdale Road for about 15 minutes.

To make matters worse, a later car fire on the detour route blocked Highway 126 at Cloverdale Road around 5:15 p.m. Westbound 126 traffic was being diverted onto Cloverdale Road for a few minutes, but that highway was cleared by about 5:30 p.m.

Highway 20 was being reopened around 6 p.m., but the miles-long traffic backups were expected to take some time to clear.

The crash was reported around 3:45 p.m. at Highway 20 and Paradise Alley, leaving two lines reportedly eight feet in the air and another on the ground. There was no word of any serious injuries in the crash, which cut power to about 350 Central Electric Cooperative members in the area.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police on scene called out ODOT and Central Electric Cooperative crews to assist.

Meanwhile, they began detouring eastbound traffic onto Cloverdale Road and westbound onto Fryrear Road, both routes also making use of Highway 126 as the rodeo crowds streamed out of the arena.

Cloverdale Fire also was on scene, according to Deschutes County dispatchers, who urged drivers to avoid the area if possible.

The power went out in the middle of the bull-riding event at the rodeo, attendees said, on an otherwise perfect, blue-sky Sunday afternoon.