Highway 20 west near Black Butte was closed for about an hour after a three car crash sent seven to the hospital and caused about a three mile back-up Friday around 4:40 p.m. L. Kevin Dizney with the Deschutes County Sheriff says the driver of a Toyota Avalon, for unknown reasons, crossed into the oncoming lane and crashed into two SUV's. Four of the people injured were all from Bend: Leonard and Erika Wilson, both 39, and two children ; Keira,6, and Cade,3, Wilson. The other victims were not identified.
The force of the Toyota Avalon causes a Chevy Suburban to roll off the road and land on the westbound shoulder. The driver is not identified. It also caused a Toyota Sequoia to slide into the westbound lane. The Wilsons were it he Sequoia. When police arrive on the scene, they found the Avalon in the middle of the road.
Highway 20 was closed in both directions for about 45 minutes, until authorities were able to clear one lane of travel. The highway had one lane open for another hour or so while the cars are removed.
Dizney say drugs or alcohol appear to not be a factor in this crash, but the investigation is continuing as to the cause of the first driver crossing into oncoming traffic.
