LAST UPDATE: December 29, 2023
DESCHUTES COUNTY, OR - On October 12, 2023 at approximately 7:32 PM, Jesse Carl Ross, 43, of Corvallis, MT was driving a Chevy Silverado northbound on the highway when he crossed the center line, sideswiped a southbound semi-truck and trailer and struck a Toyota RAV4 driven by Gary Rutledge, 57, head-on.
The SUV caught fire and became fully engulfed in flames after the crash. The crash occurred about two miles south of Terrebonne. Gary Rutledge, his wife Michelle, 53, and their two children, Kate, 15, and Ryan, 17, both Reynolds High School students, died at the scene. They were on their way to view the solar eclipse in Central Oregon.
Ross was indicted on 4 Counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree in Deschutes County and a nationwide warrant was issued for his arrest. Ross turned himself to the Deschutes County Jail on 12/26/2023. Ross is facing other charges of:
- DUII, Reckless Driving
- Reckless Endangering
Ross was arraigned on Thursday, December 28, 2023 and bail was kept at $2 Million.
PREVIOUS:
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 7:27 p.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Hwy-97, near milepost 118, in Deschutes County.
All fatal traffic crashes are tragic. When an entire family is lost, the tragic becomes the horrific.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Jesse Carl Ross (43) of Corvallis (MT), was northbound when it crossed the center line, sideswiped a southbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Thiara Onkar Singh (50) of Livingston (CA), and then struck a Toyota Rav4, operated by Gary J Rutledge (57) of Troutdale, head on. The Toyota subsequently caught fire and became fully engulfed.
The operator of the Toyota, Gary Rutledge, and passengers- Michelle Jean Windsor Rutledge (53), Kate Rutledge (15), and Ryan Rutledge (17)- were all declared deceased at the scene. All of the deceased were related as immediate family members.
The operator of the Chevrolet (Ross) was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The operator of the Kenworth (Singh) was not injured.
The highway was impacted for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation. The Oregon State Police is working with the district attorney's office in continuance of the investigation.
OSP was assisted by Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Redmond Fire, Redmond PD, and ODOT.
OSP is requesting any witnesses to this crash contact the Oregon State Police at *OSP and reference case SP23326671.
LINK TO PREVIOUS CLAYCONEWS ARTICLE: OREGON FAMILY KILLED IN FATAL HEAD-ON CRASH ON HIGHWAY 97 IN DESCHUTES COUNTY
