Two drivers killed in Hwy. 97 head-on crash in northern Redmond

(Update: OSP confirms 2 fatalities, provides sdetails)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Two drivers suffered fatal injuries Thursday morning in a head-on crash on Highway 97 at the north end of Redmond that closed the highway for hours, Oregon State Police said.

Troopers and other emergency personnel responded around 9 a.m. to the reported two-vehicle crash near milepost 119, OSP Captain Tim Fox said.

A preliminary investigation found that Kyle Willet, 19, of Terrebonne, was driving a southbound Subaru Legacy that crossed into the northbound lanes and collided with a Chevy 3500 pickup driven by Thomas Kasch, 79, of Culver, Fox said.

Willet sustained fatal injuries and died at the crash scene. Kasch was flown by Life Flight helicopter to St. Charles Bend, where he was pronounced dead, the captain said.

ODOT warned drivers of an "extensive closure" of the highway in both directions. A detour was put in place via Canal Boulevard and the O'Neil Highway before one southbound lane reopened around 10:30 a.m. and the highway was fully reopened before 1 p.m.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, ODOT and Redmond Fire & Rescue.