Injured Madras man facing DUII charge in Hwy. 26 head-on crash
(Update: Crash victim improves to good condition, faces DUII charges)
A Madras man seriously injured in a head-on crash of a minivan and a semi-truck early Friday on U.S. Highway 26 near Warm Springs has improved to good condition at St. Charles Bend, but faces DUII charges, officials said Tuesday.
Troopers responded around 1:35 a.m. Friday to the reported crash near milepost 105 involving a 2014 Dodge Caravan and a 2018 Freightliner commercial vehicle, said Oregon State Police Lt. Mark Duncan.
The Caravan’s driver, Archie Wapsheli III, 34, of Madras, was flown by air ambulance to St. Charles Bend, where a house supervisor said he was in serious condition Friday.
The truck was driven by Bruce Lane, 52, of Suquamish, Washington, who was not injured.
Duncan said Tuesday a preliminary investigation revealed Wapsheli’s Caravan was heading west when it crossed the centerline and into the path of the eastbound semi.
The highway was blocked for nearly two hours for the investigation and until tow trucks could arrive to clear the scene, the lieutenant said.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, Duncan said. He added that reports will be submitted to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for charging Wapsheli with DUII.
