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La Grande Today
By the People, for the People
Highway 97 Crash South of Madras Leaves Driver Dead
A Subaru Forester crossed the center line and collided head-on with a Jeep Cherokee, killing the Subaru driver.
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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A 51-year-old man from La Grande was killed on Sunday afternoon when his northbound Subaru Forester crossed the center line of U.S. Highway 97 near milepost 102 south of Madras and collided head-on with a southbound Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.
Why it matters
This stretch of Highway 97 has seen other serious collisions in recent years, with state police previously citing speed and winter road conditions as contributing factors. The investigation into the cause of this latest fatal crash is ongoing.
The details
According to the Oregon State Police, troopers were called to the two-vehicle crash around 4:01 p.m. The preliminary investigation indicates the northbound Subaru veered into the southbound lane for unknown reasons before the head-on impact. The Subaru driver, identified as 51-year-old Aaron Lee Bottorff of La Grande, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Jeep was driven by 34-year-old Brayan Gonzalez Celestino of Bend, who suffered minor injuries.
- The crash occurred around 4:01 p.m. on Sunday, February 10, 2026.
- The highway was shut down for about three hours while crews worked the scene.
The players
Aaron Lee Bottorff
A 51-year-old man from La Grande who was killed in the head-on collision.
Brayan Gonzalez Celestino
The 34-year-old driver of the Jeep Cherokee who suffered minor injuries.
Oregon State Police
The agency investigating the cause of the crash and continuing to process the scene and review evidence.
What’s next
Oregon State Police have asked anyone with information about the crash to contact them as the investigation continues.
The takeaway
This fatal collision on Highway 97 south of Madras highlights the ongoing safety challenges along this stretch of road, where speed and winter conditions have contributed to serious crashes in the past. The investigation into the cause of this latest wreck is still underway.
