Released By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Date: January 30, 2023

Location: Cascade Lakes Highway, mile post 30

Vehicle#1: Polaris 800 RMK Pro

Rider: Christian Michael Horton 29-year-old male, Bend Oregon

Vehicle #2: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado

Driver: 43-year-old male, Bend Oregon

 

Narrative:

On 01/29/23, at approximately 7:30 pm, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue were dispatched to a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a snowmobile and a tracked snow vehicle on Cascade Lakes Highway at mile post 30.

Initial reports indicated the snowmobile rider struck a stationary Elk Lake Lodge tracked vehicle at a high rate of speed throwing him from the snowmobile almost 100 feet. The driver of the tracked vehicle, an Elk Lake Lodge employee, was inside the vehicle at the time of the collision and was not injured.

As a result of the collision, the snowmobile caught fire and was completely consumed. Employees from the Elk Lake Lodge learned of the crash and responded to the area to assist with additional cold weather gear for the snowmobile rider and driver of the tracked vehicle.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue was mobilized and responded to the area to assist air medics and conduct an investigation into the cause and manner of the crash. Life Flight was able to land safely and transported the snowmobile rider to St. Charles Bend, where he is listed as being in stable condition.

Speed appears to be a factor in this crash; however, the investigation is still on-going, and further details will be released when available.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone when recreating in the winter months, specifically in the back country, carry sufficient gear for your chosen activity, carry a communication device, tell someone where you are going, expected route, and expected time of return.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 263 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 178 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of