Prineville man seriously injured in Hwy. 97 crash

A Prineville man was thrown from his SUV and seriously injured when it left Highway 97 and crashed south of Sunriver Thursday morning, one of several crashes reported south of Bend amid black ice and slick conditions, Oregon State Police said.

Larry Oliveira, 55, was conscious and breathing when troopers reached his 2015 Chevy Traverse at the crash scene, said OSP Sgt. Kaipo Raiser. The rollover crash was reported shortly before 6:30 a.m. on Highway 97 near Sugarpine Butte Road, between Sunriver and La Pine, he said.

Oliveira was flown by air ambulance to St. Charles Bend, where he was listed in serious condition Thursday afternoon, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

As troopers headed to the crash scene, ODOT advised of black ice in the area, prompting OSP to reduce its response code, Raiser said. ODOT was called out to sand the highway in the area.

OSP was not called to the five reported crashes between Lava Butte and Sunriver, iRaiser said.