Fatal Traffic Crash - Highway 97 north of La Pine
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into a Friday evening two vehicle fatal traffic crash that resulted in the death of a La Pine-area man on Highway 97 approximately seven miles north of La Pine. The victim was an off-duty La Pine Rural Fire Protection District Captain and worked for that department since 1999.
According to Trooper Scott Sogge, on May 13, 2011 at approximately 5:35 p.m. a 2005 Honda Civic driven by JAMES JUDSON PALMER, age 37, from La Pine, collided with a 1963 Chevrolet Nova driven by ROY GUS MCMAHON, age 48, from La Pine, on Highway 97 near milepost 160. MCMAHON was traveling southbound on Highway 97 when PALMER attempted to enter the highway from the intersection of State Recreation Road colliding with MCMAHON's vehicle.
PALMER was pronounced deceased at the scene.
MCMAHON and his passenger KIMBERLY MARIE MCMAHON, age 48, from La Pine suffered non-life threatening injures and were taken by ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. All occupants were reportedly wearing safety restraints at the time of the collision.
OSP troopers from the Bend Area Command office were assisted at the scene by Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, La Pine Rural Protection Fire District, and ODOT. A short section of Highway 97 was reduced to one lane of travel for over two hours during the on-scene investigation.
via News: Fatal Traffic Crash - Highway 97 north of La Pine.
05/14/2011
Lieutenant Gregg Hastings
Public Information Officer
(503) 731-3020 ext. 247
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