Bend man dies after crash into irrigation canal

Citizens helped police and fire medics remove a Bend man from his SUV after it crashed into a southeast Bend irrigation canal Sunday morning, but he did not survive an apparent medical crisis that triggered the crash, officers said.

Bend officers and Bend Fire and Rescue personnel responded at 10:38 a.m. to the reported crash into an Arnold Irrigation District canal in the area of Knott Road and Pine Vista Drive, said Sgt. Tom Pine.

Initial reports indicated citizens had gone into the water and the Lexus SUV in an effort to assist the non-responsive driver, identified as Lewis M. Bingham, 64, who was alone in the car, Pine said.

The first officer to arrive and fire crews, assisted by citizens, removed Bingham and immediately began life-saving efforts, Pine said the man was taken to the hospital, but he did not survive.

An investigation indicates Bingham likely had a medical crisis while driving west on Knott Road, approaching Pine Vista Drive, Pine said. The medical issue apparently caused Bingham to lose control of the SUV, which ended up partially submerged in the irrigation canal.

Police asked to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash. Pine urged them to call the Deschutes County dispatch non-emergency line at 541-693-6911.