Cyclist killed, driver charged in DUII crash east of Bend
(Update: Correcting court date, bail amount)
A Bend woman riding her bicycle with two others on Dodds Road east of town was struck and killed Saturday afternoon by a pickup truck whose driver, also a Bend woman, was arrested on first-degree manslaughter, DUII and other charges, then released on bail Sunday, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.
Deputies were dispatched around 3:20 p.m. to the reported crash of a GMC pickup and cyclist in the area of Dodds and Obernolte roads, Sgt. William Bailey said.
The investigation at the scene determined Shantel Lynn Witt, 41, was driving her gray 2002 GMC Sierra pickup eastbound on Dodds Road, near the intersection with Obernolte Road, Bailey said.
Witt failed to negotiate a slight curve to the right in the roadway and continued straight, crossing the westbound lane. Just before the pickup left Dodds Road, it struck the third of three bicyclists riding single-file heading west on the westbound shoulder, the sergeant said.
Marika Stone, 38, of Bend, died at the scene, Bailey said, adding that her family had been notified.
Based on the investigation and evidence at the scene, Witt was arrested on charges of first-degree manslaughter, DUII, reckless driving and two counts of reckless endangering, Bailey said.
Witt was booked into the county jail late Saturday night and held on $245,000 bail, and released Sunday morning after posting a $27,000 security, a jail officer said. She is scheduled for an initial court appearance Jan. 16.
The crash and investigation closed or reduced Dodds Road to one lane for about five hours.
Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by Bend police officers and fire medics, Oregon State Police, the Alfalfa Fire Department and Deschutes County Road Department.
Bailey told NewsChannel 21 an investigation determined Witt was driving while impaired, but the specific nature will await the results of blood tests.
As the investigation continues, anyone who might have witnessed the crash and has not spoken to investigators is asked to call non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.
Online court records show Witt was arrested on July 4, 2014 on a misdemeanor DUII charge and pleaded guilty that September. She was sentenced to a year-long alcohol treatment program and ordered not to drive after consuming alcohol and to take part in a victim impact panel.
The records show the DUII charge was dismissed a year later, in 2015, having complied with the conditions of the diversion agreement.
