08/21/08 Near Madras
A two car accident on the old Culver Highway between Metolius and Madras claimed one life, and shook up two. At 4:40 Thursday evening a 19-72 Chevrolet Nova was heading northbound on the Culver Highway near Colfax Road. 61 year old David Michael Allen from Metolius was driving the Nova and attempted to pass a Grey Ford Ranger pick up, also heading northbound. Allen crossed the middle line and lost control, slamming the driver side door into a 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by 19 year old Imer Gutierrez of Madras. Oregon State Police troopers responded to the crash in mere minutes. Gutierrez told OSP he attempted to swerve out of the way. The speed limit on the highway is 50 miles an hour and OSP says in this crash, it's like hitting a brick wall traveling at 100 miles an hour, and the chances of walking away are not great. Both vehicles suffered significant damage-- for the Chevy pick up-- a deployed airbag-- mangled wheel, and oil dripping from the engine. And the Chevy Nova is barley recognizable from the driver side. “Everything has been shifted due to the forces of the collision, the car is basically like a tin can, it's been crumpled, and you know, destroyed,” said Senior Trooper Jason Hansen.
 
David Allen was pronounced dead on the scene. His family members arrived a short time after the crash. Investigators have determined Allen was not wearing his seat belt. Gutierrez and his 16 year old female passenger suffered minor injuries. The passenger was treated at Mountain View Medical Center in Madras. Both Gutierrez and his passenger were wearing their seat belts. Gutierrez was not cited in the crash.