Motorcycle Fatality in Harney Co., June 19

According to Sergeant Brian Williams, on June 18, 2015, at about 3:43PM, a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by Steven A GALE, age 71, of Montara, CA, rear-ended another motorcycle on HWY 20 at milepost 114 (near Sage Hen Rest Area). The other motorcycle, a 2008 Harley Davidson, operated by Robert RESCH, age 65, of Half Moon Bay, CA, lost control and crashed on the highway. RESCH and his passenger, Janet KLUZIK, age 54, of Half Moon Bay, CA, were both ejected. After striking RESCH’s motorcycle, GALE’s motorcycle veered into the path of a 2011 Ford F250 head-on. GALE was deceased upon arrival of emergency crews. The occupants of the F250, Richard CHERNABAEFF and Kristine CHERNABAEFF (both of Kerman, CA) were not injured. RESCH was taken to Harney District Hospital for minor injuries. His passenger, KLUZIK, was taken to Saint Charles Medical Center in Bend by air ambulance for serious injuries. Preliminary information indicates GALE and RESCH had been traveling together when they became separated. It appears GALE was traveling at a high rate of speed when he collided with RESCH who had just pulled out from Sage Hen Rest Area.