Driver killed in Terrebonne crash identified

DCSO: CRR man, 65, may have had medical emergency, struck a tree

(Update: Adding name, photo, friend's comment)

TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County sheriff's deputies on Friday identified a 65-year-old Crooked River Ranch man killed Wednesday evening when his pickup truck left Lower Bridge Way in Terrebonne and struck a tree.

Deputies were dispatched around 6:45 p.m. to the single-vehicle crash on Northwest Lower Bridge Way at 31st Street, Lt. Ty Rupert said early Thursday. Deputies found a 2001 Ford Ranger had crashed into a tree.

Redmond Fire & Rescue responded to assist and pronounced the driver, Daniel Petty, who died at the scene, Rupert said.

The male passenger, Peter Jackson, 37, of Redmond, was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Redmond with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, the lieutenant added.

Petty practically grew up with his long-time friend and roommate, Bobbie Pierson, and her brother, Mike Pierson, also of CRR.

Bobbie Pierson said Petty was a caregiver and loved his job of helping others. She said he was a veteran who loved the outdoors, playing his guitar, singing and song-writing. He is survived by three grown children and several grandchildren, as well as many friends. 

"He will be missed," she said.

An initial investigation found that Petty was heading west on Lower Bridge Road when his pickup left the road, crossed the oncoming lane and struck a large juniper tree on the eastbound shoulder near the intersection with 31st Street, Rupert said.

"Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash," Rupert wrote in a news release. "It appears the driver may have suffered from a medical emergency prior to the crash."

The crash and investigation closed Lower Bridge Way for about two hours. A detour was in place, and the Deschutes County Road Department responded with flaggers to control traffic during the investigation.