OSP identifies driver charged in Madras DUII crash

Oregon State Police on Monday identified a Madras man flown to a Bend hospital and cited on DUII and reckless driving charges after his SUV crossed into the oncoming lane of Highway 26 in Madras late Saturday night and collided head-on with a semi-truck.

Troopers responded shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday to the reported head-on crash on the highway near Jefferson Street, said OSP Sgt. Michael Berland.

They found a silver 2011 Hyundai SUV had been heading east when the driver, identified as Venses Velasquez-Vega, 23, of Madras, crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a Freightliner semi, Berland said.

Jefferson County Fire and EMS cut the wreckage away to free the trapped SUV driver, who was flown by air ambulance to St. Charles-Bend with what Berland said were serious injuries, the sergeant said. A house supervisor at the Bend hospital said Velasquez-Vega later was discharged from the hospital.

The semi driver was unhurt.

The crash closed Highway 26 for about 45 minutes for investigation and clean-up and to remove the two vehicles, Berland said.

OSP believes alcohol was a contributing factor to the crash, Berland said.

Others assisting on scene included the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department and ODOT