Bend driver, 83, cited after police say he crossed center line while passing, causing 3-vehicle crash at Third Street underpass
Barney Lerten
(Update: More details from Bend Police)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An 83-year-old Bend man was cited for reckless driving Friday morning after crossing the double-yellow line on Third Street while trying to pass several vehicles, causing a three-vehicle crash near the railroad underpass, police said.
One driver suffered a minor injury in the crash that occurred around 9:30 a.m. near SE Scott Street, where the four-lane road narrows to two lanes before reaching the underpass.
Bend Police Communications Manager Jessica Rich said the cited driver was heading north in a white Kia SUV when he crossed the double-yellow line while trying to pass several vehicles.
His SUV struck a utility trailer being towed by a southbound orange Nissan pickup truck, Rich said. That caused the Kia to spin and hit a third vehicle, a red Mazda sedan that was also heading south.
Rich told KTVZ the southbound driver was unable to avoid the oncoming car when it came into his lane.
The driver was cited in lieu of custody and released at the scene, Rich said.
Reckless driving is a Class A misdemeanor in Oregon that carries a maximum possible sentence of a year in jail, a minimum 90-day license suspension, a $6,250 fine and five years of probation or supervision.
Third Street was closed for about an hour while officers investigated the crash and towed the vehicles from the scene, Rich said.