Police confirm ID of Hwy. 97 pedestrian-car crash victim

An SUV struck and killed a 60-year-old pedestrian crossing Highway 97 on Bend’s north end Wednesday morning, shutting the highway for a time and restricting traffic through the morning commute period, authorities said.

Bend police Lt. Clint Burleigh confirmed the fatal collision was reported at 6:39 a.m. at Highway 97 and Grandview Drive. On Thursday, after family notifications, he identified the victim as Richard Kurner, a 60-year-old Bend transient.

Burleigh said the man was struck by a small green SUV driven by a 31-year-old Bend man, who was cooperating in the investigation.

No other new information was released as the investigation continues

Earlier, the victim’s son told NewsChannel 21’s Pedro Quintana his father was the man who had died. He said his father was homeless and would sleep at a transient camp in the area where the crash happened.

Burleigh said an initial investigation found Kurner was crossing from the east to the west side of the highway when he was struck by the SUV, which was heading north in the inside (fast) travel lane.

Also, he said, “initial information shows the pedestrian was wearing dark clothing.” The incident occurred about 20 minutes before sunrise, which was at 7:20 a.m.

There are no marked crosswalks visible in the area, though state law indicates any public intersection is a legal crosswalk.

Jason Kurner said he learned three things from his father: patience, living your life, no matter the circumstances, and love for the game of football.

He said he was not surprised by the news of his father’s passing, but added he didn’t think it would happen this way.

“I’ve prepared mentally for this to happen for a couple years — you kind of have to expect it,” he said.

Last week, he said, his father called and left a voicemail, telling him that if something happened to him, everything he had would go to Jason.

Burleigh said the Bend Police Traffic Team is conducting the crash investigation.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, Oregon State Police troopers and ODOT crews also were on the scene to assist in the investigation and help direct traffic.

Deschutes 911 dispatchers said northbound lanes were closed for a time at Cooley Road, with traffic diverted onto Highway 20.

Many motorists switched to side routes, primarily the Old Bend-Redmond Highway and Highway 20, which saw increased traffic.

One lane was reported open in each direction by about 8 a.m. Despite that, commuter traffic backed up for miles on Highway 97. The northbound lanes were open again by about 9:45 a.m., said ODOT spokesman Peter Murphy.