BEND, OR -- A 17-year-old driver was injured in a Sunday morning crash on Century Drive. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the Bend teen was westbound when she lost control of her pickup on an icy patch of road and swerved into oncoming traffic.
An eastbound SUV was unable to avoid hitting the vehicle. The teen was extricated from the pickup by Bend Fire personnel and then air-lifted to St. Charles Bend with serious injuries. Investigators say she was not wearing her seatbelt.
Neither of the two people in the other vehicle was injured.
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UPDATE: The Deschutes County Sheriff's investigators now believe the girl was wearing her seatbelt, contrary to initial witness reports. Her family released the following statement:
"Our daughter is doing very well. She is in stable condition and will hopefully be released from the hospital tomorrow [Tuesday]. We are so very thankful for the quick actions of the emergency response folks, those first on the scene to support our daughter, Air Link and all of the doctors and nurses that helped our daughter get through this tough time. We are also so grateful for the wonderful outpouring of support from family, friends, Summit High School, Bend FC Timbers and our great community. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to Deschutes County Search and Rescue."
