Driver Arrested Following Fatal Traffic Crash on OR Hwy 97

Alcohol and reckless driving are two of the five charges against Fix.

Scene photograph: Oregon State Police William Fix photo: Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

(REDMOND, Ore.) - The investigation is continuing into Friday evening's single vehicle rollover crash that has resulted in the death of a 7-year old girl, injuries to four other juvenile females, and the arrest of the vehicle's driver on Highway 97 between Bend and Redmond.

On September 26, 2014, at approximately 7:17 p.m., law enforcement and emergency responders were dispatched to a reported single vehicle rollover crash involving a northbound vehicle at milepost 128.1.

Upon arrival, Redmond Fire & Rescue and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) deputies confirmed one fatality and others injured. An air ambulance and ground ambulance were dispatched to the scene to transport injured persons to area hospitals.

Preliminary investigation indicates a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban driven by 32-year old William Wayne Fix from Redmond, was traveling northbound in a reckless manner when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck a rock embankment where it rolled and came to rest on its side.

Passenger 7-year old Phoenix Marie Price from Redmond, was pronounced deceased at the scene. She is reportedly the driver's stepdaughter.

Three other juvenile females, two 14-year olds and a 10-year old in the Suburban were critically or seriously injured.

14-year old Naomi Spansel and 10-year old Olivia Jeanes, both from Redmond, were critically injured and transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Then Miss Spansel was transferred to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland.

Miss Jeanes was later transferred to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.

The seriously injured girl, 14-year old Valon Fix, from Redmond, was taken to St. Charles Medical Center in Redmond.

A fourth girl, 7-year old Izzabella Robbins, from Redmond, was transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Redmond with minor injuries.

The driver, William Fix, was transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for treatment of his injuries. After he was released from the hospital, OSP took him into custody and lodged him in the Deschutes County Jail on the following charges:

• Manslaughter in the First Degree
• Assault in the Second Degree (3 counts)
• DUII - Alcohol
• Reckless Driving
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (5 counts)

OSP troopers from the Bend Area Command office are leading the investigation. Safety restraint use by all occupants is pending confirmation. No other information to be released at this time.

The highway was fully closed until one lane was open for both directions about 9:00 p.m.

Oregon State Police (OSP), with the assistance of Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) and Deschutes County District Attorney's Office, are continuing the investigation.

Any witnesses with pertinent information are asked to call OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888. Messages will be forwarded to Trooper Gary Thompson for a return call.