Redmond man, Bend couple killed in Hwy. 20E head-on crash

A Redmond courier driver and a Bend couple were killed Wednesday afternoon in a head-on crash on U.S. Highway 20 about 25 miles east of Bend, Oregon State Police said.

Troopers and emergency personnel responded around 3 p.m. to the crash near milepost 26, in the Millican area, said Lt. Bill Fugate.

A preliminary investigation indicates a 2005 Saturn van driven by Wesley V. Earp, 54, of Redmond and operating for Countryside Couriers in Redmond was heading west when it drifted off the highway onto the north shoulder, Fugate said.

Earp’s van then traveled back onto the highway and crossed over the center line, striking an oncoming 1999 Ford Explorer head-on.

Earp was pronounced dead at the crash scene by emergency personnel, as were the SUV’s driver, Jim E. Reynolds, and passenger Fayme L. Reynolds, both 65 and of Bend, the lieutenant said.

After the crash, both vehicles came to rest on the south side of the highway, Fugate said. The crash and investigation closed the highway for about an hour, before one lane was opened. All lanes were open again at about 6:30 p.m.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Fire and Rescue and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Fugate said the investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released when it becomes available.