Fatal Traffic Crash - Highway 361 north of Culver

(MADRAS, Ore.) - Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into a Saturday night two-vehicle fatal traffic crash north of Culver that resulted in the death of a Metolius-area man and serious injuries to ten others.

According to OSP Senior Trooper John Russo, on November 20, 2010 at approximately 7:10 p.m. a 2010 Toyota four-door driven by LINDA ROSS, age 61, from Metolius, was northbound on Highway 361 (SW Culver Highway) near milepost 8. At the intersection with SW Highland Lane, a 1997 Ford Expedition driven by ANDREA OROZCO, age 28, from Madras, westbound on SW Highway Lane failed to stop for a stop sign and collided with the northbound Toyota. The impact caused the Toyota to travel west where it came to rest off the highway. The Ford Expedition traveled northwest and overturned before coming to rest on its side.

OSP troopers from Bend and Madras offices, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and ambulances and EMS personnel from Jefferson County and Warm Springs responded to the crash scene.

Linda Ross was transported to Mt. View Hospital in Madras with serious injuries. Right front passenger Leonard Franklin Ross, age 73, from Metolius, was transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Redmond where he died after arrival from his injuries.

Andrea Orozco and eight other vehicle occupants, two adults and six children, were transported to unidentified area hospitals with serious injuries. Three of the children were reportedly ejected from the vehicle. The two adults are identified as Filberta Burgos, age 38, and Carmen Burgos, age 30, both from Madras.

The investigation is continuing to determine safety restraint use and which children were ejected. Airbags deployed in both vehicles.

Andrea Orozco was driving with a suspended operator's license at the time of the crash.

No other information is being released at this time pending the ongoing investigation. ODOT assisted at the scene and the highway was closed about one hour.

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Benny Bedlam November 23, 2010 4:53 pm (Pacific time)

Yes, accidents happen, but none of what you say would have mattered if the driver had been driving carefully. Running a stop sign is 100% the responsibility of the driver. Period. There's no defending that. To lay blame on the children's parents is idiotic. And who says they're not all her kids?

Me November 23, 2010 12:40 pm (Pacific time)

What about the mothers of those children who did not make sure their own children were buckled in. As a mother I darn well would of made sure. Not all blame can fall on the driver. Accidents happen. I now this road well I drive it daily. Ive as a mother and a driver have almost ran that stop sign in the dark on more than on occasion. But the other adults whom I dont know should have responsibality for what they did to their children for not being good parents and making sure their babies were safe before the car left the drive way. Sounds like those parents were in belts!

Benny Bedlam November 22, 2010 12:02 pm (Pacific time)

What a horrible scene this must have been. You would think that someone with that many children in the car would drive more carefully. Sure sounds like the kids weren't properly restrained, either. I feel terrible for the Ross family and the injured children, but not for the driver. She deserves whatever harsh punishment I hope is coming to her.

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