KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. (Jan. 5, 2026) — A Bend resident was seriously injured and a passenger was killed Sunday morning in a single-vehicle rollover crash on Highway 31 in Klamath County, according to Oregon State Police.
Troopers responded to the crash at about 10:07 a.m. on Jan. 4 near milepost 12. Investigators determined a southbound Dodge Ram 1500, driven by Roland Lea Buckman, was passing another vehicle in a designated passing lane when the pickup lost control and slid off the roadway.
Police said the truck’s driver-side tires caught in a ditch, causing the vehicle to roll, go airborne and come to rest in a tree. The passenger, Randy Laverne Samples was declared dead at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, Roland Lea Buckman, of Bend, suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Highway 31 was impacted for approximately three hours as crews conducted the on-scene investigation. Oregon State Police said roadway conditions and speed are considered primary factors in the crash.
The investigation was assisted by the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is handling the investigation. The specialized unit is responsible for investigating fatal and critical-injury crashes on Oregon highways and includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists trained in advanced measuring techniques and the use of unmanned aircraft systems.
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