On October 12, 2023 at approximately 7:32pm, Jesse Carl Ross, 43, of Corvallis, MT was driving a Chevy Silverado northbound on the highway when he crossed the center line, sideswiped a southbound semi-truck and trailer and struck a Toyota RAV4 driven by Gary Rutledge, 57, head-on. The SUV caught fire and became fully engulfed in flames after the crash. The crash occurred about two miles south of Terrebonne. Gary Rutledge, his wife Michelle, 53, and their two children, Kate, 15, and Ryan, 17, both Reynolds High School students, died at the scene. They were on their way to view the solar eclipse in Central Oregon. Ross was indicted on 4 Counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree in Deschutes County and a nationwide warrant was issued for his arrest. Ross turned himself to the Deschutes County Jail on 12/26/2023. Ross is facing other charges of DUII, Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangering. Ross was arraigned on 12/28/2023 and bail was kept at $2 Million.
