SERIOUS INJURY CRASH NEAR REDMOND

 Deschutes Co. Sheriff's Office

On November 22, 2020, at approximately 2:40 am, deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a reported single vehicle injury crash in the 3060 Block of SW Helmholtz Way in Redmond.  A resident in the area had called into 911 dispatch after hearing the crash and then going outside to check on the vehicle occupant.  The vehicle had also struck a power pole along the roadway shoulder, causing the top of the pole to break off and fall onto Helmholtz Way.

Deputies arrived at the crash scene and found the vehicle’s driver, Alyssa R. Van Alstine, laying outside the vehicle with serious, life threatening injuries.  Deputies began providing lifesaving care to Van Alstine until Redmond Fire and Rescue arrived a short time later.  Van Alstine was quickly transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend to receive care for her injuries.

An initial investigation at the scene determined Van Alstine was driving a white 2004 GMC Yukon southbound on SW Helmholtz Way when she failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway.  The Yukon rolled multiple times during the crash, throwing Van Alstine from the vehicle.  Speed and alcohol are being investigated as contributing factors in this crash.  Investigators do not believe she was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. 

SW Helmholtz Way was closed or reduced to one lane of travel for nearly 8 hours, while the pole and cable line were cleared from the roadway.  Deputies would like to thank the Oregon State Police and Deschutes County Road Department for their assistance at the scene.

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, 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 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 191 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.