Hwy. 97 N. of La Pine cleared after two semis jackknife

Travel issues due to snow and ice continued Tuesday over much of Central Oregon’s higher elevations, with Highway 97 closed for hours overnight north of La Pine by a crash involving two semi-trucks and two other vehicles.

ODOT reported shortly before 2 a.m. that two semis jackknifed on the icy roadway at milepost 157 north of La Pine. They warned of a long closure during recovery operations; one lane reopened with flaggers by 5 a.m. and the road was fully reopened before daybreak.

Oregon State Police and ODOT responded Sunday night into Monday afternoon on several crashes from south of La Pine all the way up to Santiam Pass.

Several truckers were pulling over at the side of Highway 20 on Monday as they prepared to drive over the pass. One said he was trying to get to Eugene but the snow is slowing him down.

“Just started to snow like crazy and decided to put some chains on,” he said.

OSP troopers responded to a head-on crash just before noon on Highway 20. They said the snowy conditions played a factor in the crash.

OSP said one vehicle was traveling up the grade on Hogg Rock lost control because of icy conditions, and a second vehicle that was following closely couldn’t avoid the collision.

OSP Lt. Bill Fugate said one of the vehicles didn’t have the proper tires to drive through the winter storm.

Both drivers refused medical treatment.

Fugate said drivers just need to take their time and slow down when traveling in these winter conditions.