Astoria, OR – A 16-year-old Bend resident died Thursday evening following a head-on collision near the intersection of SW Canal Boulevard and SW Quarry Avenue. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), the crash occurred around 5 p.m. when a northbound Subaru Legacy suddenly veered across the center line, colliding with a Toyota Tacoma traveling in the opposite direction.
Witnesses reported seeing the Subaru, driven by Bradley Hughes, cross into oncoming traffic before the two vehicles collided head-on. Hughes sustained serious injuries and was rushed to St. Charles Hospital in Bend, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Toyota was uninjured, but the passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was transported to St. Charles in Redmond.
Authorities have confirmed that Hughes was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. While the investigation has ruled out speed and intoxicants as factors, the crash remains under investigation. The collision caused a temporary closure of SW Canal Boulevard, which was blocked for several hours following the incident.
This tragic accident highlights the importance of seatbelt use, as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the crash.
