Redmond woman seriously hurt in Old Bend-Redmond Hwy. rollover crash

DCSO: She wasn't wearing seat belt; child in car seat, escapes serious injury

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Redmond woman was seriously injured in a rollover crash Sunday night on the Old Bend-Redmond Highway in the Tumalo area, but her young daughter was restrained in a car seat and escaped serious injury, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies were dispatched around 9:15 p.m. to the reported crash near Hereford Avenue, Sgt. Aaron Harding said.

The deputies determined that a silver 2001 Nissan Xterra, driven by Justine Freeman, 23, was heading north when it left the road while negotiating a curve.

Harding said Freeman appeared to have corrected her course back onto the road, but the SUV rolled several times, throwing Freeman, who he said was not wearing a seat belt.

The woman’s young daughter, who had no serious injuries, remained in the vehicle and was properly restrained in a rear-facing car seat, the sergeant said.

Freeman was taken to St. Charles Bend with serious injuries and later flown to OHSU in Portland. The child also was taken to the Bend hospital, where her father arrived to take custody, Harding said.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, along with the rainy weather, Harding said.

The Bend Fire Department and Oregon State Police also responded to the scene to assist. Harding said the investigation is continuing.