Bend man killed in Powell Butte crash

Sep 17,2007 00:00 by Bend_Weekly_News_Sources

One person died Friday afternoon when his pickup crossed the centerline on Powell Butte Highway and collided with two other vehicles. One of the other vehicles was towing a trailer loaded with twelve golf carts that spilled onto the shoulder.

Arnie Ray Singmaster of Bend was killed in an accident on Powell Butte Highway near the Deschutes/Crook County line - OSP photo

About 3:45 p.m. September 14, a 2000 Chevrolet flatbed pickup driven by Arnie Ray Singmaster, 47, of Bend, was northbound on Powell Butte Highway near milepost 7 when it drifted across the centerline into the southbound lane. A southbound 2004 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup driven by Barry Curtis Helm, 44, also of Bend, was towing a trailer loaded with 12 golf carts and attempted to avoid the Chevrolet pickup. Both vehicles sideswiped and the Dodge pickup continued off the southbound shoulder where it stopped as the golf carts spilled off the trailer.

Another southbound 2008 Ford F350 truck driven by Powell Butte resident James Thomas Rash Jr., 58, was following the Dodge pickup and collided head-on with the Chevrolet pickup.

Singmaster was reportedly not using safety restraints and died in the crash. The pickup he was operating was registered to Rick's Custom Fencing.

Helm and his passenger, Bryan Ellis Hutsteth, 19, of Salem, were using safety restraints and received minor or no injuries. Both were taken by private party to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for examination. The pickup Helm was operating is registered to High Desert Golf Course.

Rash was also using safety restraints and his vehicle's airbag deployed. He was taken by private party to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for treatment of minor injuries.

Oregon State Police troopers from Bend and Prineville offices are continuing the investigation. Crook County Sheriff's Office, Crook County Deputy District Attorney Daina Vitolinis, Bend Fire Department, and Crook County Road Department assisted.