Gilchrist, Ore. – Oregon State Police are continuing their investigation into this morning’s fatal vehicle crash on US 97 near milepost 181, approximately 2 miles north of Gilchrist.
According to Sgt. David MacKenzie, On May 24, 2015 at about 4:34 AM, OSP received a call there was a pedestrian standing in the middle of Highway 97 near Gilchrist Approximately one minute later, a southbound 1994 Ford Explorer operated by 56 year old Robert SAUNDERS of Bend struck the pedestrian, 60 year old Miles Douglas MATTOX of Gilchrist, who was standing in the southbound lane. Shortly thereafter, a southbound 1996 Ford Pickup operated by Darren HARRISON, age 46, of LaPine, struck MATTOX, who was then lying in the roadway.
Crescent Fire personnel responded to the scene and declared MATTOX deceased. SAUNDERS was transported to St. Charles Hospital in Bend with minor injuries and released. HARRISON was uninjured.
OSP was assisted at the scene by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Crescent Fire. Conditions at the time were total darkness and heavy fog. US 97 was closed for approximately 3 hours for the investigation.
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