Motorcyclist critically injured in Hwy. 20 crash near Burns

One rider was critically injured Wednesday when a group of motorcyclists from Iowa encountered lumber debris on Highway 20 east of Burns, causing some to crash, Oregon State Police reported.

Around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, OSP troopers and emergency personnel responded to the reported multiple-vehicle crash on Highway 20 near milepost 136, four miles east of Burns), said OSP Sgt. Kyle Hove.

A preliminary investigation determined that seven motorcycles were travelling westbound when they encountered lumber debris in the roadway, just over the crest of a hill.

A 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by Larry Lahr, 59, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and a 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by William Hunt, 58, and passenger Rose Hunt, 56, of Earlville, Iowa, swerved to avoid the debris and collided. That caused both motorcycles to go down on the highway, causing minor injuries to the riders, Hove said.

The operator of a 2016 Can Am Spyder motorcycle swerved to the left to avoid the debris and collision and came to a controlled stop off the south shoulder of the roadway.

The operator of a 2011 Harley Davidson was able to avoid the debris and collision and came to a controlled stop off the north shoulder of the roadway.

The operator of a 2001 Harley Davidson, David Marr, 64, of Floyd, Iowa, braked to avoid the collision and debris, causing the motorcycle to overturn. The riders on two other Harley Davidson motorcycles were able to avoid the debris and collisions and came to a controlled stop, Hove said.

Marr sustained critical injuries and was taken to Harney District Hospital in Burns, then flown by AirLink helicopter to St. Charles Bend, Hove said. He remained in critical condition Thursday night, according to a house supervisor at the Bend hospital.

Larry Lahr and William and Rose Hunt sustained minor injuries and were treated and released.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Harney County EMS, the Burns Fire Department, Harney County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon Department of Transportation.