Bend man killed, 2 others seriously hurt in Hwy. 20E rear-end crash

OSP: Both were planning to turn north onto Powell Butte Highway

(Update: Names, details from Oregon State Police)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – One Bend man was killed and two others were seriously injured Sunday afternoon when a van crashed into the rear of an SUV as both vehicles prepared to turn left from Highway 20E onto the Powell Butte Highway east of Bend, Oregon State Police said.

Troopers and other emergency personnel responded around 2:40 p.m. to the reported two-vehicle crash at the intersection.

A preliminary investigation found that Richie Masters, 34, of Bend, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee eastbound on Highway 20E and waiting to turn left (north) onto the Powell Butte Highway, OSP said.

A Ford Econoline van driven by Edward Robinson, 59, of Bend, also was heading east on the highway and intended to turn north onto Powell Butte Highway when it hit the SUV from behind.

Robinson sustained fatal injuries and died at the crash scene, troopers said.

Two passengers in the van, Markus Mastrud, 62, and Owen Leinweber, 54, both of Bend, were taken to St. Charles Bend with serious injuries. A third passenger was unhurt.

Masters and his two passengers, a Bend woman and a male juvenile, were not transported by medics, OSP said.

Troopers said alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash, while a failure to use seat belts is believed to be a factor in the injuries.

OSP was assisted at the crash scene by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Police and Fire departments and ODOT.

The crash and investigation closed the highway for a time and the eastbound lane until later Sunday night.