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***Update***
The identities of the deceased persons in the fatal motor vehicle accident are now released.
- Driver - Bobby J. Jones (64 y/o male) - Gilchrist, OR
- Passenger - Tami M. Jones (61 y/o female) - Gilchrist, OR
The deceased were husband and wife.
***End of Update***
On April 12, 2024, at approximately 1046 hours, Deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle accident involving a Dodge Durango that had driven off the road and into a tree near MP 1 on Knott Rd.
When Deputies arrived, personnel with Bend Fire were already on scene and communicating with an entrapped male passenger in the back seat of the Durango. The Durango's female front passenger and male driver were confirmed deceased at the scene.
Deputies learned during the investigation that the Durango was traveling eastbound on Knott Road at a high rate of speed when it attempted to pass a commercial motor vehicle. The commercial motor vehicle was traveling in the same direction. The Durango crossed the center double-yellow lines, and clipped the commercial motor vehicle when it attempted to return to the eastbound lane after almost colliding with a pickup truck traveling westbound. The Durango drove off the roadway, and ultimately collided into a tree.
Based on the investigation, Deputies determined the deceased driver to be at fault for the motor vehicle accident.
Bend Fire successfully extracted the passenger in the back seat and transported him to St. Charles Bend where he was treated for serious injuries. The identity of the deceased driver and passenger is being withheld at this time pending notification of the family.
Oregon State Police assisted with the response to the motor vehicle accident, and Deschutes County Public Works temporarily shut down Knott Road during the investigation. The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office thanks OSP, Public Works, and Bend Fire for their assistance.