Wreck takes life of one

SANTIAM PASS: A crash at the Santiam Junction of Hwy. 20 killed one person on December 30th, according to the Oregon State Police.

According to the OSP report, a westbound Toyota Highlander, operated by Victor Hernandez Triana, 28, of Springfield, attempted to turn left onto Hwy. 20 and entered the path of an eastbound Hyundai Accent, operated by Maryssa Elizabeth Swiderski, 35, of Willamina, causing a head-on crash.

The driver of the Hyundai was critically injured and transported by air ambulance to an area hospital.

A passenger in the Hyundai, a 15-year-old female female from Willamina was transported by air ambulance to an area hospital and was later declared deceased.

A 17-year-old and a 15-year-old male from Willamina were in the Hyundai. Both were seriously injured and transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital.

The operator of the Toyota suffered minor injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital.

Two passengers in the Toyota, Kathy Hernandez, 22, of Springfield and Bertha Santana Longoria, 28, of Springfield both suffered reported minor injuries. They were also transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital.

A passenger in the Toyota, Maria Triana De Hernandez, 51, of Springfield, suffered serious injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation. An unsafe left turn is considered to be the primary cause of the crash, which is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Black Butte Police Department, and ODOT.