Hwy. 126 Redmond crash seriously injures Eugene man
A Eugene man was seriously injured Wednesday when his car collided head-on with an oncoming pickup truck on state Highway 126 in Redmond, police said.
Police and fire medics responded around 10:15 a.m. to the reported crash at Highway 126E and Southeast Lake Road, Lt. Curtis Chambers said.
At the time of the crash, all available officers were assisting Oregon State Police at the scene of a fatal head-on crash on Highway 97 just south of the Yew Avenue-Airport Way exit, Chambers said.
Officers and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies investigated the Highway 126 crash.
The initial investigation indicated an orange Dodge Neon driven by Shan Dieringer, 39, of Eugene, was heading west on the highway and came upon a vehicle stopped, waiting to turn left onto Lake Road, the lieutenant said.
Dieringer tried to brake to a stop but ended up going into the oncoming lane, colliding head-on with an eastbound Chevy pickup driven by a 19-year-old Central Oregon man.
Dieringer was taken to St. Charles Bend, where a spokeswoman said he was in serious condition late Wednesday afternoon
The driver and two passengers in the pickup were evaluated at the scene by medics for minor injuries and declined transport to the hospital, Chambers said.
No citations have yet been issued, but Chambers said they are expected to be issued later to the Neon driver. “Speed, following distance and failing to maintain a lane of travel appear to be contributing factors in the crash,” the lieutenant said in a news release.
Chambers said Redmond police appreciated the sheriff’s office’s help in the investigation. Police also were assisted by Redmond Public Works, ODOT and Redmond Fire & Rescue.
“The Redmond Police Department wants to remind drivers to slow down during times of limited visibility, to include nighttime, fog and rain/snow,” Chambers wrote. “Winter weather can be unpredictable, and roadways can be slippery at unexpected times. Please plan ahead and allow extra time to get to your destination.”
