Two Dead After Vehicle Crashes While Trying to Pass Truck

Gilchrist, Oregon- On April 12, 2024, tragedy struck on Knott Road near Gilchrist, after a Dodge Durango veered off the road and collided with a tree, claiming the lives of its occupants, identified as Bobby J. Jones, 64, and Tami M. Jones, 61, both residents of Gilchrist.

Deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at approximately 10:46 AM, following reports of the accident. Upon arrival, they found Bend Fire personnel already on site, attending to an entrapped male passenger in the rear of the Durango.

Unfortunately, both the female front passenger and the male driver were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigation revealed that the Durango, traveling eastbound on Knott Road, had attempted to overtake a commercial truck at a high speed. In the process, it crossed the center double-yellow lines, narrowly avoiding a collision with a pickup truck heading in the opposite direction. The Durango clipped the commercial vehicle before careening off the road and colliding with a tree.

Deputies concluded that the deceased driver was responsible for the accident. The identity of the victims was withheld pending notification of their family.

Despite the tragic outcome, Bend Fire successfully extracted the backseat passenger, who sustained serious injuries, and transported him to St. Charles Bend for treatment.

Oregon State Police collaborated in the accident response, while Deschutes County Public Works temporarily closed Knott Road during the investigation. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to all assisting agencies for their support during the incident.