California Truck Driver Seriously Injured in Crash North of Madras

The driver had to be extricated by fire personnel.

Crash on Highway 97 near Madras, Oregon seriously injured a commercial truck driver. Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

(MADRAS, Ore.) - Oregon State Police say a California commercial truck driver was seriously injured Saturday afternoon when the truck and trailer loaded with apples drove off Highway 97 about 3 miles north of Madras and crashed.

The driver was extricated by fire personnel, and Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation. OSP Senior Trooper Jed Rzegocki says Saturday at approximately 3:00 p.m., a 2004 Freightliner commercial truck pulling a utility trailer loaded with apples driven by 51-year old Kesar Bhatti of Stockton, California, was southbound on Highway 97 near milepost 88.

"As the truck and trailer traveled near Elm Lane on a downhill slope they went off the southbound shoulder and into a farm field. During the crash, the trailer split open spilling a large amount of apples on the southbound lane and in the field", Rzegocki said.

"Several gallons of diesel fuel leaked from the vehicle but was contained by fire personnel."

He says Bhatti was seriously injured and pinned inside the truck. He had to be extricated by fire personnel and was subsequently transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend by Airlink helicopter ambulance.

The southbound lane was closed for approximately 1.5 hours. Traffic was controlled by flaggers until the highway was fully reopened at about 4:35 p.m.

OSP troopers from the Madras work site, assisted by troopers from Bend, are continuing the investigation. Madras Police Department, ODOT, SMAF Environmental, Jefferson County Rural Fire Department and Jefferson County EMS assisted.