Redmond man dies after crash on icy Maple Avenue Bridge

A Redmond man has died from injuries suffered Wednesday night in a three-vehicle crash on the icy Maple Avenue Bridge that also injured several other people, including two 7-year-old girls, police said Friday.

Officers learned around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday of the crash on the bridge that spans Redmond’s Dry Canyon, Lt. Curtis Chambers said.

A Deschutes County sheriff’s deputy arrived on the scene immediately after the crash and began rendering aid to the injured, quickly followed by Redmond police and fire medics who also began the investigation and rendered aid.

Preliminary information indicates a 2002 Ford Explorer driven by Anesha Slocum, 39, of Redmond, was heading west on Maple Avenue and crossing the bridge, with her husband, Randy Slocum, 52, also of Redmond, riding in the front passenger seat.

While crossing the bridge, Slocum’s SUV slid into the path of an oncoming 2016 Kia Optima driven by Cristina Vasquez, 26, of Redmond. She had two passengers in the vehicle, 7-year-old girls, one of whom was her daughter, Chambers said.

Slocum’s SUV collided head-on with Vasquez’s car, and then a 2000 Jeep Cherokee driven by Brian Beamer, 36, of Redmond crashed into the rear of Vasquez’s car. He had one passenger at the time, Chambers said.

All of the people in Slocum’s and Vasquez’s vehicles were taken to area hospitals, the lieutenant said. Police were informed Thursday that Randy Slocum had died of his injuries.

One of the girls in Vasquez’s car suffered a broken femur, wrist and arm, but the other was not seriously injured, according to her mother.

An initial investigation indicated alcohol and/or drug impairment are not considered contributing factors in the crash, Chambers said. Child safety restraint usage is being considered as a contributing factor to the children’s injuries.

The crash remains under investigation, and no citations have been issued or charges filed, Chambers said. Once the investigation is complete, police will determine if a crime or traffic violations have been committed.

At the time of the crash, all roads in Redmond were ice-covered after precipitation earlier in the day had frozen, Chambers noted. Redmond police had responded to other, minor crashes around the city and also were investigating a robbery at the time.

“The Redmond Police Department desires to remind all drivers to slow down when driving in winter weather and ensure proper child safety restraints are being utilized whenever transporting young children,” the lieutenant added in his news release. “Child safety seats and supplemental restraints often prevent injury to children when properly installed and used.

“Redmond Fire & Rescue conducts a monthly child safety seat check-up at their downtown station. Please go www.redmondfireandrescue.org to inquire further,” Chambers said.

“Bridges and overpasses the most dangerous parts of the road in the winter,” ODOT says on its page of winter driving tips. “They are the first to freeze and the last to thaw because they’re built of concrete, which doesn’t retain as much heat as other materials.”