Head-On Crash at Santiam Pass Killed Scio Motorcyclist

SANTIAM PASS: A Sunday afternoon crash on Route 20 claimed the life of a Scio man after a failed passing maneuver in a no-passing zone, according to the Oregon State Police.

The collision occurred at approximately 4:17 p.m. on May 3 near milepost 81.5, about six miles east of the junction with Oregon Route 126 and Oregon Route 22. The crash site sits at roughly 3,750 feet in elevation along the winding Santiam Pass corridor.

Investigators reported that a westbound Harley-Davidson FHX motorcycle, operated by Kevin Allen Cloud, 65, crossed double yellow lines while attempting to overtake traffic, entering the eastbound lane. The motorcycle collided head-on with a Kia Sedona driven by a woman from Bend. Her 14-year-old daughter was a passenger in the vehicle.

Cloud was airlifted from the scene but died shortly after arriving at a hospital, authorities said. The driver of the Kia sustained minor injuries, while the juvenile passenger was not injured.

The crash prompted a lengthy closure and significant traffic delays along the pass, with backups lasting approximately three hours as emergency crews responded and investigators examined the scene.

The Santiam Pass section of Highway 20 is widely known for its sharp curves, elevation changes, and limited passing zones, factors that contribute to a steady number of serious crashes each year.

In recent years, the corridor has seen multiple fatal and injury crashes involving both passenger vehicles and motorcycles. Head-on collision‚ often tied to drivers crossing centerlines in no-passing zones‚ are among the most severe incidents reported in the area.