Dangerous winter driving still around

A single vehicle crash on Highway 20 in the Santiam Pass area is a reminder that we aren't out of the woods yet as drivers still may face winter-type driving conditions in some areas of Oregon. The Caldwell, Idaho woman involved in this potentially serious crash didn't receive life threatening injuries, but she did go to an area hospital as a precaution for a medical examination.

According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Senior Trooper Andrew McCool, on March 22, 2010 at approximately 8:30 a.m. a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by JERIALDENE J. CARR, age 47, from Caldwell, Idaho was eastbound on Highway 20W near milepost 73 when she lost control in snow and icy conditions and crossed westbound traffic. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, turning over onto its passenger side and sheering a tree off about five feet from the ground. The vehicle then went off an embankment and tipped up on its front before falling back onto the sheered tree stump, piercing through the passenger side and exiting through the driver's side of the vehicle.

The tree narrowly missed causing serious injury to CARR as it tore into the driver's seat. CARR was transported by ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend as a precaution for a medical examination. Safety restraint use information is not available.

OSP troopers from the Bend Area Command office were assisted by scene by Sisters Fire Department and ODOT.