2 Madras residents killed in Hwy. 97 crash at O’Neil Junction north of Redmond
(Update: OSP identifies victims, provides details)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Two Madras residents were killed Saturday afternoon in the collision of their mini-van with a semi-truck at the O’Neil Junction of Highway 97 and the O’Neil Highway north of Redmond, Oregon State Police reported Sunday.
OSP troopers and other emergency personnel responded around 1:20 p.m. to the reported crash, OSP Captain Tim Fox said.
A preliminary investigation found that Robert Gregg, 53, was driving a 2004 Honda Odyssey that was entering the highway when it was struck by a southbound truck hauling apples that was driven by a 56-year-old Colton, California man.
Gregg and his passenger, Antonia Romero, 46, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The truck driver was unhurt, Fox said.
The crash partially closed Highway 97 for several hours. OSP was assisted at the scene by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Fire & Rescue and ODOT.
Redmond Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Ron Hawkins said the truck was hauling apples. Its load of boxes spilled from the trailer, which broke open when the rig overturned beside the highway.
