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Feb 20, 2025

Bend Senior High School student dies in car crash | Local News | centraloregondaily.com

Digital Director Bradley Hughes, a 16-year-old junior at Bend Senior High School, died Thursday night in a head-on collision. Grief counselors are being made available to Bend Senior High School

Digital Director

Bradley Hughes, a 16-year-old junior at Bend Senior High School, died Thursday night in a head-on collision.

Grief counselors are being made available to Bend Senior High School students and staff after a junior at the school died in a car crash Thursday night.

Bradley Hughes, 16, died in a head-on collision on SW Canal Blvd near SW Quarry Ave., the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office said in a press release.

Principal Christopher Reese said students were informed about Bradley during first period Friday.

"Bradley was very involved in our community as an athlete, a friend, a student, a unified sports team mentor and part of student leadership. By all accounts Brad epitomized the Lava Bear spirit and will sorely be missed," Principal Christopher Reese said in an email to families.

Reese said counselors would be on hand in the coming days and weeks to support students and staff.

"We are all in this together, and the Bend High community will do whatever we can to help us get through this. This is the Lava Bear way and what it means to be family and part of the Long Blue Line," Reese said.

"It's important to be thoughtful when talking about the sudden death of a fellow student," Reese continued. "We want to focus on listening and asking clear questions, and making professional support available to those who need help. For some students, a sit-down, face-to-face discussion may be frightening or overwhelming for them. Everyone works through grief a little differently and needs to find their own way.

Reese provided these resources:

The Oregon Youthline, a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line: Call 1-877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863, easily accessible via direct link on student iPads.

A confidential mental health care coordination service, Care Solace.

Tips for Supporting Teens Who Are Grieving

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Bradley's family.

Here is the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office release about the crash:

Location: SW Canal Blvd at SW Quarry Ave, Redmond, Oregon

Vehicle #1: 2000 Subaru Legacy, maroon

Driver: Hughes, Bradley, 16-year-old male, Bend, Oregon

Vehicle #2: 2022 Toyota Tacoma, white

Driver: Palacios Arroyo, Samuel, 56-year-old male, Salem, Oregon

Passenger: Enriguez Perez, Victor, 31-year-old male, Salem, Oregon

Narrative:

On January 9th, 2025, at 5:00 pm, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report of a head on motor vehicle crash with injuries near the intersection of SW. Canal Boulevard and SW Quarry Avenue. Deschutes County 911 Dispatch advised SW Canal Blvd. was blocked as a result of the crash.

According to witnesses the Subaru Legacy was travelling north on SW Canal Blvd. when it suddenly crossed the center line into the oncoming lane and collided head on with the Toyota Tacoma.

The driver of the Subaru sustained serious injuries and was transported to the St. Charles, Bend. The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was un-injured. The passenger of the Toyota Tacoma sustained minor injuries and was transported to St. Charles, Redmond.

As a result of the investigation, it was determined the driver of the Subaru was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. Intoxicants and speed are not considered factors in the crash.

Investigators learned later in the evening, Hughes had succumbed to the injuries he sustained as a result of the crash and passed away.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office extends it heartfelt condolences to the family.

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Digital Director

Currently in Bend