BEND, OR -- Eight teens were hurt – three critically – in a single-vehicle crash on China Hat, Friday afternoon. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says an unlicensed 16-year-old was driving recklessly and speeding when he lost control of a pickup and crashed into a juniper tree.
Seven people were inside the cab, three were wearing seatbelts, but one person was riding in the bed and was ejected on impact. Investigators the driver may have been impaired by marijuana. He was cited for two counts of Assault III, four counts of Assault IV, seven counts of Recklessly Endangering and one count of Reckless Driving.
All of the teens involved are students at Mountain View and Marshall high schools. Six were taken by ground ambulance, a boy and girl were flown to the hospital. Five have since been released, including the driver. As of Saturday afternoon, three remain in critical condition.
