Tragedy struck on Highway 26 in Jefferson County last Thursday morning when a fatal crash claimed the life of a local motorcyclist, according to the Oregon State Police. At approximately 7:01 a.m., a collision occurred between a southbound Dodge Ram towing a trailer and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle at the intersection with Dover Lane.
The investigation by OSP suggests that as the truck, driven by Aaron Christopher Chappel, 22, of Bend, began to execute a left-hand turn onto Dover Lane, Scott Anthony Pradmore, a 36-year-old Madras resident, was simultaneously attempting an unsafe pass on the left, striking the trailer; the report provided by OSP indicated that the motorcycle’s maneuver led to the crash. The impact was so severe that Pradmore, the motorcyclist, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Chappel emerged without injuries. OSP was aided by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation during the on-site investigations, which caused highway disruptions for about two hours.
The OSP has indicated that the primary cause behind the collision appears to be an unsafe passing maneuver, as relayed by FlashAlert. This stretch of Highway 26, which saw lanes cleared for traffic after the extensive examination of the crash scene, has since reopened.
Such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the critical nature of adhering to traffic laws and regulations specifically designed to safeguard travelers on our roads; the consequences of disregarding such rules have been highlighted by the unfortunate loss of Scott Anthony Pradmore OSP alongside local law enforcement will continue to investigate the circumstances of this incident in hopes that such tragic events can be prevented in the future.
