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At this time the next of kin have been notified of this fatal crash.  The motorcycle riders were identified as a married Bend couple:

Deceased Motorcycle Operator:  James Robert Graham 43 year-old Bend Resident 

Deceased Motorcycle Passenger:  Shannon Elizabeth Lewis 33 year-old Bend Resident 

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Date and Time: Saturday, September 14, 2019 6:34 PM

Case number: 2019-302408

Motorcycle:  1976 Honda Motorcycle

Deceased Motorcycle Operator:  Male 43 year-old Bend Resident (pending notification of next of kin)

Deceased Motorcycle Passenger:  Female 33 year-old Bend Resident (pending notification of next of kin)

Vehicle: 2013 Jeep Wrangler

Driver: Julie Kathleen Lezotte, 50-year-old female, Bend Resident

On Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 6:34 PM a serious motor vehicle crash was reported at a curve on NW Mt. Washington Drive west of NW Archie Briggs Road.  Bend Police, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputies, Oregon State Police and Bend Fire personnel responded to the scene.  Two riders from a crashed motorcycle were located at the scene and were not conscious.  Bystanders were performing CPR and first responders continued those efforts.  A Jeep Wrangler was also at the scene of the crash.

The motorcycle operator died at the scene, despite lifesaving efforts.  The motorcycle passenger was transported to St. Charles Medical Center.  She eventually died from injuries sustained in the crash while at the hospital.

Crash Reconstruction Officers and Detectives from the Bend Police Department responded to the incident.  Bend Public Works responded and closed the roadway.

A preliminary investigation showed that the male motorcycle operator, with the female as his passenger, was riding westbound on Mt. Washington Drive west of Archie Briggs Road.  The motorcycle operator lost control in a curve and crashed in the westbound lane of travel.  The motorcycle, the male operator and the female passenger, slid into the oncoming eastbound lane of travel.  Julie Lezotte was driving a Jeep Wrangler eastbound in the oncoming lane of travel.  The motorcycle riders struck the Jeep Wrangler. 

Lezotte remained at the scene of the crash.  Investigation at the scene indicated Lezotte had been driving in the eastbound lane of travel at or under the speed limit.  Based on available evidence, Lezotte is not suspected of wrongdoing related to this crash.

The investigation is ongoing and any witnesses to this crash, or the events leading up to the crash, are asked to contact the Bend Police Department at 541-693-6911.  At the time of this release, the roadway has been re-opened.

Brian Beekman

Lieutenant