Two Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Highway 20

Both victims, who were using protective helmets, were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(SANTIAM JUNCTION, Ore. ) - Two people died Friday morning when the motorcycle they were traveling on lost control on Highway 20W about 1/2 mile east of Santiam Junction and were struck by a commercial truck.

The victims' identities are withheld pending next of kin notification.

At approximately 11:40 AM Oregon State Police, ODOT, Sisters Fire Department and Black Butte Ambulance responded to a reported serious traffic crash on Highway 20W near milepost 75.

An OSP airplane traveling near the area also responded and provided information as observed from the air to responding emergency personnel.

Preliminary investigation by OSP troopers indicates at about 11:28 AM the male and female adult victims were traveling on a 1988 Honda motorcycle towing a small trailer.

This section of Highway 20W has two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane.

As the motorcycle was negotiating a right curve in the right hand eastbound lane, the male operator lost control.

The motorcycle traveled across the highway and the two occupants reportedly fell off and into the path of a westbound 2006 Kenworth truck driven by 38-year-old Bruce Gressang, from Thompson Falls, Montana.

Gressang was unable to avoid the victims as the truck struck them both.

The motorcycle came to rest back along the eastbound shoulder.

Both victims, who were using protective helmets, were pronounced deceased at the scene.

An AirLife helicopter responded and landed but neither victim was transported from the scene by air.

OSP troopers from the Bend Area Command office are continuing the investigation and attempting to locate next of kin.

OSP troopers from the Albany Area Command office also responded and assisted along with the above mentioned agencies.

Highway 20W had periodic closures for about three hours.