Off-road motorcycles collide near Prineville; 2 riders hurt

Two men were taken to the hospital after their off-road motorcycles, not equipped with headlights, collided on a street southeast of Prineville late Sunday night, Crook County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies, along with Crook County Fire and Rescue and Prineville police, responded around midnight to the reported crash on Southeast Melrose Drive, just outside the city limits, sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Bottoms said.

Deputies found the two men about 100 feet apart, identified as Jake Nunes , 24, of Stayton and Justin Shupp , 23 of Portland, Bottoms said.

An investigation found the two men were riding separate off-road motorcycles on Melrose Drive when Nunes ‘ motorcycle stalled. Bottoms said Nunes was trying to get it running again as Shupp , with no headlight, did not see Nunes stopped in the road and ran into him, sliding another 105 feet down the road.

Nunes sustained a serious leg injury while Shupp had ” road rash ” and neck and head injuries, Bottoms said. Neither man was wearing helmets.

Both riders were taken to St. Charles Prineville, where Shupp was treated and released, according to a house supervisor. Nunes later was flown to St. Charles Bend, where a house supervisor said he was in fair condition Monday.

Alcohol was ” definitely ” a factor in the crash, along with riding off-road motorcycles with no headlights at night, Bottoms said. He also said charges are expected to be filed at a later date.