La Pine man critically injured in concrete truck crash

A concrete truck driver from La Pine remained in critical condition Monday night at St. Charles Bend after an early-morning rollover crash on a remote portion of state Highway 31 near the Lake-Klamath County line, officials said.

Fire Chief Mike Supkis said crews responded at 5:13 a.m. to a report that the truck had rolled several times at milepost 16 on Highway 31.

Oregon State Police said Dale Grinols III, 58, of La Pine was driving a 1993 Kenworth registered to Sunwest Redi Mix of La Pine.

Klamath County’s Outback Fire District had the first crews on scene, while La Pine firefighters helped remove the trapped driver from the wreckage and the Sunriver Fire Department sent an ambulance.

Grinols was removed, stabilized and flown to St. Charles Bend by AirLink helicopter. A house supervisor said he remained in critical condition Monday evening.

The trooper who arrived on scene said the highway was partially blocked by the crash and requested two tow trucks, as the concrete was pouring out of the overturned truck.

The crash closed the highway for about 90 minutes, Supkis said, adding that OSP was investigating the crash.