Deschutes County deputies identify Gilchrist couple killed in SUV-truck crash on Knott Road; brother seriously injured

(Update: DCSO releases names of crash victims)

Brother, riding in back seat, was seriously injured

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Deschutes County sheriff's deputies on Saturday released the names of a Gilchrist couple who were killed Friday when the SUV's speeding driver tried to pass a commercial truck, clipped it and ran off Knott Road, striking a tree and overturning. A family member was seriously injured.

The victims were identified as driver Bobby Jones, 64, and his front-seat passenger, wife Tami Jones, 61, both of Gilchrist. Tami Jones' brother, riding in the back seat, was seriously injured.

The crash involving a Dodge Durango was reported around 10:45 a.m. near milepost 1 on Knott Road, just west of the China Hat Road intersection on Bend’s south end, Sergeant Chris Barringer said.

Deputies arrived to find Bend Fire & Rescue personnel already on scene and talking with the trapped passenger in the SUV’s back seat, the sergeant said.

The couple died at the scene.

Deputies determined in their investigation that Bobby Jones was driving east on Knott Road “at a high rate of speed” when he attempted to pass the eastbound commercial truck, Barringer said in a news release.

“The Durango crossed the center double-yellow lines and clipped the commercial motor vehicle when (the SUV) attempted to return to the eastbound lane after almost colliding with a pickup truck traveling westbound,” the sergeant said.

The SUV then left the road and ultimately struck a tree, coming to a rest on its side.

Bend Fire crews removed the back-seat passenger and took him to St. Charles Bend for treatment of serious injuries. The commercial truck driver was not injured.

The crash and investigation closed Knott Road between China Hat and Highway 97 for about two hours, Barringer said.

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