Fatal Hwy. 97, Jan. 21

On Friday, January 18, 2019, at approximately 3:00 P.M. Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle head on crash on Hwy 97 near milepost 159. Preliminary investigation revealed that a white Toyota Camry, operated by Kevin Werts (56) of LaPine, was southbound on Hwy 97 and lost control and slid into the northbound lane and collided with a gray Hyundai Santa Fe, operated by Susan Pitarro (70) of Bend. The roadway conditions at the time of the crash were packed snow and ice. Werts sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Pitarro and her passenger, Terry Thopson (63) of Bend, were transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend with serious injuries.