La Pine charity volunteer, 81, dies in Hwy. 58 truck crash

An 81-year-old volunteer driver for St. Vincent de Paul of La Pine was killed Thursday when his truck left Highway 58 near Oakridge and crashed into a tree, Oregon State Police reported.

Troopers and emergency personnel responded shortly after noon to the reported single-vehicle crash near milepost 32, Capt. Tim Fox said.

A preliminary investigation found that Robert Bieler was heading east at the wheel of St. Vincent de Paul’s 2006 GMC delivery truck when he failed to negotiate a slight left-hand curve for an unknown reason, Fox said.

The truck left the highway and went down an embankment and acres a side road before striking a large oak tree.

Bieler was pronounced dead at the scene, the captain said. OSP was assisted by Oakridge Fire and ODOT.

Bieler was heading home after driving to Eugene with the thrift store’s recyclable books and clothes, according to Heather Loomis, manager of the La Pine charity’s thrift store.

“He does this every two weeks, volunteers his time,” Loomis said.

Bieler also assisted with the food drive every week, driving every Tuesday to Bend and Redmond to pick up food donations, she said.