2 hurt, 2 truckers cited in Hwy. 20 chain-reaction crash

Two truck drivers were cited after a four-vehicle chain-reaction rear-end crash Tuesday on Highway 20 near Sisters that sent two people to the hospital, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies reported.

Deputies were dispatched to the crash on Highway 20 near West Rail Way west of Sisters, Sgt. Kevin Dizney said.

An investigation determined a 2000 Peterbilt semi with double-trailers driven by William Tilton, 47, of Madras, was heading east and did not stop for slowed or stopped traffic caused by congestion near the Highway 20 roundabout in Sisters, Dizney said.

Tilton’s truck rear-ended a 1997 Freightliner semi with double-trailers driven by Graydon Hallock, 37, of Tillamook, the sergeant said.

Hallock’s truck in turn was shoved forward and struck a 2014 Subaru SUV with camp trailer, and it was pushed into the back of a 2012 Chevy Traverse, Dizney said.

Hallock and a juvenile female passenger in the Traverse were taken by ambulance to St. Charles Bend with non-life-threatening injuries.

Tilton was cited for following too closely, as traffic became congested, while Hallock was cited for defective lighting by operating without brake lights on his “pup trailer,” Dizney said.

All four vehicles were damaged in the crash. The Peterbilt semi and Subaru were towed from the scene. The Freightliner was parked off the side of the road and the Traverse was driven from the scene by its owner.

Drugs and/or alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash, Dizney said, but distracted driving is, in combination with heavy Fourth of July holiday traffic.

Dizney said the sheriff’s office wants to remind drivers to be extra-cognizant of driving conditions during travel over the fourth and to always be aware of changing driving conditions when traveling around the state.