On Thursday, November 19, 2020 at approximately 5:15 P.M., Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Hwy 97 near milepost 137.
Preliminary investigation revealed a BMW, operated by Jonathan Short (39) of Bend, was northbound merging onto Hwy 97 from the Colorado Rd onramp. The BMW merged through the right (slow) lane and into the left (fast) lane and struck a Chevrolet pickup operated by Kevin Schultz (47) of Bend. The Chevrolet pickup crossed the center median into the southbound lane and collided with a Ford Transit van operated by Christopher Rodea (37) of Bend.
Two more southbound vehicles were involved in the crash and one more northbound vehicle was involved in the crash. None of these operators or passengers were seriously injured.
Rodea sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Schultz was transported to St Charles Hospital in Bend with serious injuries.
Short was not transported for injuries.
Hwy 97 was closed for approximately 8 hours.
OSP was assisted by the Bend Police Department, Bend Fire Department, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and ODOT.
Oregon State Police is requesting any additional witnesses to the crash to contact the OSP Northern Command Center at 1-800-442-0776 or *OSP and leave contact information for Trooper Sean Malloy.
