Two Seriously Injured in Crash Near Chemult

The highway was shut down for over an hour, and then opened to one way travel until the roadway was cleared.

Photo of crash scene: Oregon State Police

(CHEMULT, Ore.) - Police say two people were injured today, one seriously, Wednesday morning in a collision involving a commercial vehicle and a pickup on Highway 97 near Chemult.

State Police Senior Trooper Roberto Robles says a 2000 Toyota Tacoma pick-up driven by 46-year old Victor Colato of California City, California, was southbound on Highway 97 near milepost 201 when it lost control on the snow / ice covered highway at approximately 10:18 AM.

The pickup crossed into the northbound lanes where it collided with a commercial truck driven by 59-year old Steven Lockhart of Springfield, Oregon.

Colato was extracted from his pickup by Chemult EMS. He was transported by air ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend where he is listed in serious condition.

Lockhart received minor injuries and declined treatment.

Both drivers were using safety restraints.

The highway was shut down for over an hour, and then opened to one way travel until the roadway was cleared.

The investigation is continuing by OSP Bend Area Command troopers. Klamath County Sheriffs Office, Chemult EMS and ODOT assisted at the scene.