Redmond woman killed in Alfalfa Market Road crash east of Bend

(Update: Family statement, photo)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A 32-year-old Redmond woman was killed Sunday night in the rollover crash of her car on icy Alfalfa Market Road east of Bend, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said Monday.

Deputies were dispatched around 9:45 p.m. to Alfalfa Market Road near Todd Road on reports that a car had overturned and come to rest on its wheels in the middle of the roadway, Sgt. William Bailey said. Dispatchers advised a 911 caller reported it to be an apparently fatal crash.

Deputies arriving on scene, assisted by Alfalfa Rural Fire District medics, located the driver, Rachael Hedges, and she was pronounced deceased at the scene, Bailey said.

An initial investigation determined Hedges was driving a 1997 Subaru Legacy heading east on the road when it left the road, she over-corrected and it rolled several times.

Hedges’ parents, Greg Stohl and Karen Hedges, provided NewsChannel 21 with a photo and a brief statement on Monday:

“Our sweet Rachael had a full, free spirit which was loved by everyone she met. Always on the go, willing to drop whatever she was doing to help or just be a friend.” 

The sergeant said it’s believed Hedges was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash and was thrown from the car.

It’s believed icy road conditions contributed to the crash, Bailey said, adding that “investigators are still determining whether alcohol was a factor in the crash.”

The investigation closed Alfalfa Market Road between Juniper and Todd roads for about four hours.

The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene, along with the Alfalfa Fire medics, by Oregon State Police, the Prineville Police Department, Deschutes County Public Works, the Deschutes County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.