11/23/09 Bend

By Doug Johnson

"The suddenness of this thing, certainly takes you back a bit, the frailty of life is gone in a moment, and she'll be missed," Bob Welch talks about his neighbor, 69-year-old Jeanne Coward, who died Monday afternoon.

While driving south on Highway 97, Coward's car was struck by a white SUV, driven by 47-year-old Dodd Hook, also from Bend. The Deschutes County Sheriff's office says it first got reports of Hook's SUV driving erratically, possible striking the median barrier.

"The reports came in starting in the city of Bend and on towards Redmond," says Lt. Michael Espinoza.

Just before reaching the Deschutes Market Junction on 97, the SUV went off the road. At that point Hook over corrected, rolling his SUV into the south bound lane. There, it struck Coward's Pontiac Grand Am, killing her instantly. She was less than five minutes from her house.

Neighbors say Coward was retired, has two daughters, who live else where, and that she was very self sufficient. They add she liked hiking, fishing and knitting, and served on the board for the Community Concert in Redmond. They describe her as an ideal neighbor.

"I left my trunk open, within a half hour or so she called for public assistance to come to my house thinking that I had been injured inside my home, or else why wouldn't I have come out and close my trunk, so that's the kind of neighbor (she was) and she just looked out for everybody," Welch says.

Hook was taken to the hospital, and has seen been treated and released. The sheriff's office says his car also hit another vehicle before rolling over, but the driver of that car was uninjured. At this time, deputies say speed and intoxicants don't appear to be a factor in Hook's driving. However the sheriff's office says it will be taking a closer look at his blood. The investigation is still on going.

Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Highway 97

LOCATION: Highway 97 at mile post 131

DATE: November 23, 2009

TIME: 2 pm

Driver 1:

Hook, Dodd E Age: 47

Bend, Or.

Vehicle: White Ford Explorer (SUV)

Driver 2:

Gruver, Lois

Bend, Or.

Vehicle: Red Pontiac Torent (SUV)

Driver 3:

Deceased (name being withheld pending notification)

Vehicle: White passenger car

AGENCIES: Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation, Deschutes County District Attorney's Office, and Bend Fire.

On November 23, 2009 the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police responded to a motor vehicle crash on Highway 97 at milepost 131. The crash involved a Ford Explorer, Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), which had been reported as driving erratic on the Parkway in the City limits of Bend. The SUV was reported to be traveling northbound on the Parkway and towards Redmond. The SUV was reported to be weaving and possibly striking the median barrier on the Parkway. As calls were being received regarding the SUV, 911 dispatch was notifying the various agencies of the traffic complaint.

Minutes after 911 received the initial call of the SUV's erratic driving, the SUV lost control on Highway 97 near milepost 132. The SUV then side swiped a passenger car between mileposts 132 and 131 in the oncoming southbound lanes of travel on Highway 97. As a result of this initial crash, the SUV overturned and rolled into another vehicle also traveling southbound on Highway 97 at this location.

As a result of the second collision, both vehicles involved suffered extensive damage. The driver and sole occupant of the second southbound passenger vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene, based on injuries sustained from the crash.

The driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to St. Charles ER for treatment. An initial investigation at the crash scene determined the SUV had struck at least two vehicles prior to coming to rest. The driver of the first vehicle struck by the SUV did not report any injuries.

Due to the extensive crash scene, all traffic on Highway 97 was slowed to one lane of travel in both directions for approximately 2 hours. Investigations are underway to determine the cause for this crash. There is no evidence to suggest intoxicants or speed as being a factor for this crash. The on going investigations include determining other possible vehicles being struck, as well as the median barrier on the Parkway.

At this time attempts to contact next of kin for the deceased are being made by the Sheriff's Office. The Oregon State Police are assisting with the Reconstruction of the crash scene, while the Sheriff's Office will be conducting the remaining investigations. The Sheriff's Office asks that anyone who may have been a witness to this crash or involved, contact DCSO at 388-6655. Once next of kin has been notified, an updated press release will follow with the amended information.