Thursday on Highway 126 in Deschutes County ended in tragedy when a 63-year-old Redmond man was killed after his pickup crossed the center line and slammed head-on into an oncoming car near milepost 107, just east of Redmond. Two others, a passenger in the Chevrolet Silverado and the driver of the Subaru Outback, were rushed to local hospitals with serious injuries. Investigators identified the pickup driver as Lee Bernard and said he died at the scene.
What Investigators Say Happened
According to KOIN, Oregon State Police said the Silverado was traveling eastbound on Highway 126 when it crossed into the westbound lane and hit the Subaru head-on near milepost 107. The passenger in the Silverado and the Subaru driver were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.
Troopers remained at the crash site along with OSP collision reconstruction specialists as they worked to identify any contributing factors. The agency has not yet released details on what might have caused the truck to veer over the center line.
How This Fits Into a Troubling Pattern
Highway 126 has seen more than its share of serious wrecks this year. In January, Oregon State Police investigated another deadly head-on crash near milepost 7, as reported by KTVZ. Local responders and transportation officials regularly urge drivers to check ODOT TripCheck for closures and to avoid passing in clearly marked no-passing zones along two-lane stretches of the route.
OSP said the latest crash remains under active investigation and asked anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam video from the area to contact the agency. The highway was shut down for several hours while first responders and investigators worked the scene, then reopened after crews finished clearing the roadway and on-site investigation wrapped up.
