BEND, Ore. – A head-on collision shut down a major stretch of the Bend Parkway for several hours Wednesday morning after a pickup truck driver experienced a medical emergency and veered into oncoming traffic, according to Bend Police.

The crash was reported at approximately 8:11 a.m. near the Reed Market Road overpass. Investigators say a 61-year-old Bend man was driving a Chevrolet Silverado southbound when he suffered what officials described as a “medical event.” The truck crossed into the northbound lanes and collided head-on with a Toyota Sienna driven by a 21-year-old Bend woman.

The force of the crash caused the minivan driver to be partially ejected from the vehicle. She was transported to St. Charles Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said. The pickup driver was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

Bend Police cited the Silverado driver for careless driving resulting in an accident. Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said the exact nature of the medical issue could not be disclosed.

Both vehicles sustained significant damage. The Silverado’s hood was torn off in the impact, and the Sienna—described as a minivan or SUV—suffered major damage on all sides. A substance, possibly related to vehicle fluids or medical response, was seen on the roadway following the crash.

Initially, both directions of the parkway were closed. By 9:15 a.m., the southbound passing lane and all northbound lanes remained shut down as police continued their investigation and crews worked to clear the scene. The parkway fully reopened to traffic around 11:15 a.m.

Police have not released the names of those involved.