June 17, 2025 4:00 a.m. 

Passengers in a vehicle were taken to the hospital following a two- vehicle crash on Sunday afternoon in the Melrose area.

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report said shortly before 1:30 p.m. a 65-year-old Oakland woman was driving her sedan westbound on Melrose Road near Busenbark Lane while a 40-year-old Bend woman was headed eastbound on Melrose Road. The Oakland woman advised that she was going to turn onto Busenbark Lane, but due to the sun being in her eyes, she was unable to see in front of her very well. The woman made the turn right in front of the second vehicle, causing a collision.  The second driver had three passengers in her vehicle, some of whom complained of slight pain and were going to CHI Mercy Medical Center in a private vehicle.

The driver who caused the wreck was cited for making a dangerous left turn. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.