On Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 7:27 p.m., a multi-vehicle crash unfolded on Hwy-97, near milepost 118. Authorities report the incident claimed the lives of an entire family.
The tragic event began when a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Jesse Carl Ross (43) of Corvallis, Montana, was traveling northbound on Hwy-97. According to Oregon State Police (OSP) investigators, the Silverado crossed the center line, initiating a chain of collisions. It first sideswiped a southbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Thiara Onkar Singh (50) of Livingston, California, before crashing head-on into a Toyota Rav4, driven by Gary J. Rutledge (57) of Troutdale.
The impact was so severe that the Toyota Rav4 immediately burst into flames. The operator, Gary Rutledge, and his passengers, Michelle Jean Windsor Rutledge (53), Kate Rutledge (15), and Ryan Rutledge (17), all lost their lives in the crash.
Jesse Carl Ross, the driver of the Chevrolet, was fortunate to survive but sustained serious injuries. He was transported to a local hospital for medical attention. His current condition is unknown.
In contrast, Thiara Onkar Singh, the operator of the Kenworth commercial vehicle, emerged from the collision uninjured.
The aftermath of the crash had a significant impact on Hwy-97, causing the highway to be closed for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP is working with the district attorney’s office to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
OSP received assistance from multiple agencies, including the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Fire Department, Redmond Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), in managing the scene and providing support during this incident.
Source: OSP
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