Fatal Traffic Crash on Icy Road East of Santiam Junction

Highway 20 was closed for approximately two hours.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - A Redmond-area man died and three others in his vehicle were injured Saturday morning in a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 20 just east of the Santiam Junction.

About 9:20 AM, a Ford Bronco towing a trailer operated by 48-year old Joseph Bowdin, from Redmond, lost control westbound on an icy section of Highway 20 near milepost 82 in the Santiam Pass, according to Senior Trooper Mike Brady. The trailer hit two other west bound vehicles causing only damage to those vehicles.

The Ford Bronco then rolled onto the driver's side and skidded westbound in the highway. An eastbound Isuzu Rodeo was struck by the trailer and then impacted with the roof area of the Bronco.

Joseph Bowdin was pronounced deceased at the scene.

There were four other occupants in the Bronco, and they were injured. 33-year old Rhonda Ottomeier was seriously injured and transported by Air Life to St. Charles Medical Center. Three juvenile age girls were also transported and sustained minor injuries. Ages and names are not available for the girls.

The other two vehicles contained a total of five occupants, none of whom were injured. Names are not available.

Highway 20 was closed for approximately two hours and was re-opened to one lane of traffic until the crash investigation was completed and the highway cleared.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Bend Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Black Butte area emergency personnel and ODOT assisted at the scene.