On December 19, 2016 at about 6:30PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a three vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 102 (south of Madras). Preliminary investigation revealed a 2007 Honda Ridgeline was northbound on Highway 97 when it drifted over the centerline and clipped a southbound 2012 Toyota Corolla. After clipping the 2012 Toyota, the Honda struck another southbound vehicle head-on (a 2003 Toyota Corolla). A passenger in the 2003 Toyota, Richard R MULLINS, age 34, of Madras was pronounced deceased at the scene. A 10 year old male passenger seated in an unknown location in the vehicle was also pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver Nicole A SLY, age 36, of Crooked River Ranch, and an additional 8 year old female passenger were taken by air-ambulance to Saint Charles Hospital in Bend to be treated for serious injuries resulting from the crash. The driver of the Honda, Mateo J SMITH, age 19, of Warm Springs, received non-life threatening injuries and was taken to Saint Charles Redmond. His 17 year old male passenger received non-life threatening injuries and was also taken to Saint Charles Hospital in Redmond. Information on the occupants of the 2012 Toyota is not available at this time. Fatigue is being investigated as a contributing factor in the crash.
