06/30/09 Sunriver
 
On Monday June 29, at approximately 9:00pm members of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, La Pine Fire & US Forest Service, Law Enforcement Officers, responded to the River Meadows sub-division near the intersection of Stage Stop & Bonanza for a report of a small forest fire. Upon arrival, Sheriff's Deputies learned the fire was actually a vehicle, fully engulfed in flames and some of the surrounding trees and foliage were starting to burn as well. When La Pine Fire arrived and begin to extinguish the flames, they and the deputy observed the chard remains of a human body in the driver's seat.
 
There is no speculation as to the cause of the accident at this time and there is no immediate reason to suspect that speed and/or alcohol are contributing factors to this crash. Members of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Detective Division and US Forest Service have assumed this investigation and may call upon other agencies as needed.
 
All the details of the victim and vehicle are being withheld at this time to protect the integrity of this investigation and to insure that family members are contacted prior to any media release of information.