Four people from one family died in a multi-vehicle crash Thursday night on U.S. 97 in Deschutes County, Oregon State Police reported Saturday.
A Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Jesse Carl Ross of Corvallis, Montana, was northbound when it crossed the center line north of Redmond, according to a news release. The Silverado then sideswiped a southbound Kenworth commercial vehicle and trailer driven by Thiara Onkar Singh of Livingston, Calif., and then struck a Toyota Rav4, driven by Gary J. Rutledge of Troutdale.
The Toyota caught fire and was fully engulfed, police said. Rutledge, 57, and his three passengers, all immediate family, died at the scene. They are Michelle Jean Windsor Rutledge, 53; Kate Rutledge, 15; and Ryan Rutledge, 17.
Ross was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Singh was not injured.
Oregon State Police responded around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and the highway was closed for about four hours as crews from Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Fire, Redmond Police and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted.
Oregon State Police asks that any witnesses to the crash contact the Oregon State Police and reference case SP23326671.
