Driver killed in the fiery highway 97 wreck

According to Oregon State Police, the driver of a Dodge Caravan, who crossed the center line and plunged into a semi-truck north of La Pine on Thursday on Thursday.

The police believe that Anthony Buddrick Torres, 25, from La Pine, who died at 8:52 p.m., could have deliberately caused the crash.

Torres' vehicle hit a Kenworth commercial vehicle frontally and had both vehicles involved in flames, which fired firefighters on site. The commercial vehicle was operated by Florentino Cruz Aguilar, 52, from Williams, California. He reported only minor injuries and, according to the state police, was brought to an area in a medical center.

The crash closed the highway in both directions for several hours while the police examined.

About Suzanne Roig

Suzanne Roig has been a bulletin reporter since 2018 who covered companies and health in the region. If she doesn't work, she enjoys taking her dog pono on hikes. It can be reached at 541-633-2117, suzanne.roig@bendbulletin.com.

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