PD: Speeding driver on cellphone causes Bend Parkway crash

A speeding driver on a cellphone drifted and his station wagon struck an SUV on the Bend Parkway Saturday afternoon in a rollover crash that caused no injuries but closed northbound lanes for nearly an hour, police said. The driver was ticketed for his actions, they added.

Police were dispatched at 1:35 p.m. to the reported crash on the northbound parkway just north of the Revere Avenue onramp, said Sgt. Eric Hagan.

An investigation determined that Kyle Savage of Bend was driving a 1995 Subaru heading north in the right (slow) lane, exceeding the posted 45 mph speed limit and using a cellphone, Hagan said.

Savage’s station wagon drifted to the left, colliding with a 2001 Chevy Tahoe driven by Robert Graham, also of Bend, also heading north in the left (fast) lane, the sergeant said.

The impact spun Graham’s SUV, causing it to hit the guardrail, Hagan said. Meanwhile, Savage lost control of his Subaru, which rolled and came to rest on its wheels, blocking the left travel lane. Graham’s SUV came to rest blocking the right travel lane.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts, and no injuries were reported, Hagan said. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and had to be towed from the scene, while the guardrail also had major damage. Bend Police were assisted at the scene by the Bend Fire Department and ODOT.

Savage was issued citations for careless driving and operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile device.

Hagan reminded drivers not to use mobile devices while driving, follow the speed limits and wear seat belts.