S. Calif. trucker cited in Tumalo semi-SUV crash

A Southern California truck driver was cited for reckless driving Wednesday after he ran a stop sign on the Old Bend-Redmond Highway — later saying his brakes had gone out — and struck an SUV, sending an 18-year-old Redmond woman to the hospital, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched just after noon to the crash at the intersection of the Old Bend-Redmond Highway and Tumalo Road, said Sgt. Kevin Dizney.

Deputies investigating the crash determined a semi and 53-foot trailer, driven by Marcos Vallejoflores, 36, of Pico Rivera, Calif., was heading east on Tumalo Road and failed to stop at a stop sign, hitting a Toyota 4Runner driven by Alexandra Spencer who was heading north through the intersection.

The collision pushed the SUV eastbound on Tumalo Road and sent the truck toward the north, off the road and coming to rest in a pasture on the northeast corner of the intersection.

An area resident spraying for weeds along the side of the road was nearly struck by the out-of-control semi, Dizney said.

When the truck came to a stop, the tractor portion had run into a tree and through a fence at the property, with the trailer coming to rest blocking both lanes of Tumalo Road for several hours, the lieutenant said.

Bend Fire Department medics took Spencer to St. Charles with non-life-threatening injuries, Dizney said. The truck driver was not hurt and stayed on scene to help with the investigation.

Vallejoflores told deputies his brakes suddenly were not working correctly and that he tried to slow down and stop by down-shifting the truck, but could not stop before entering the intersection.

Dizen said the truck driver and other witnesses estimate he may have entered the intersection at about 30 to 40 mph.

ODOT and Oregon State Police helped inspect the truck at the crash scene, Dizney said. They made a preliminary determination that the semitrailer brakes were out of adjustment, which may have contributed to the crash.

ODOT placed the trailer out of service, and it later was removed by Consolidated Towing. ODOT was in the process of assessing the semi-tractor for adequate equipment, Dizney said.

Vallejoflores was arrested by citation at the scene on a reckless driving charges. Dizney said alcohol, drugs and/or distracted driving are not believed to be factors in the crash at this time.