Highway 20 Crash Near Santiam Junction Shuts Highway Down For Hours

Six people were transported by ground ambulance to Saint Charles Bend for various ranges of injuries.

A crash involving two vehicles on Highway 20 near milepost 77 (just east of Santiam Junction). Photo: OSP

(LINN COUNTY, Ore.) - A crash involving two vehicles on Highway 20 near milepost 77 (just east of Santiam Junction) brought Oregon State Troopers to the scene Christmas morning, about 10 am.

Preliminary information indicates a 2003 Chevy Tahoe was traveling eastbound on highway 20 when it lost control on the icy roadway. The Chevy crossed the centerline and struck a westbound 2005 Dodge Pickup nearly head-on.

One of the passing motorists, a doctor, stopped and provided medical attention to the injured passengers before medical personnel arrived.

In all, six people were transported by ground ambulance to Saint Charles Bend for various ranges of injuries.

Driver of the Chevy was 42-year old Maria Sandoval, of Salem. Four of her passengers were transported to Saint Charles Bend.

Driver of the Dodge was 44-year old Richard Barge and and his passenger, 40-year old Kimberly Barge, both of Terrebonne. Both were transported to Saint Charles Bend for non-life threatening injuries.

Highway 20 was closed for several hours while the investigation was conducted. The names of those involved are not currently available at the time of this release. More information will be released when it becomes available.

Source: OSP