A Redmond teen died Sept. 16 in a four-car crash south of Redmond that closed Highway 97 for hours.

According to Oregon State Police investigators, the 16-year-old female was driving southbound in a 2003 Jeep Liberty about 8:15 a.m. about five miles south of Redmond when she tried to change lanes and lost control of the vehicle. The car drove through the highway median into oncoming, northbound traffic where it struck a black Jeep Renegade that was traveling northbound.

The northbound Jeep, driven by Araceli Rodriguez Giles, 21, of Bend, slammed into the shoulder and rolled multiple times. Giles, as well as passengers Brayan Olvera, 23, and Victorina Giles, 53, both of Bend, were transported to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries. A 16-year-old minor also traveling in the Jeep Renegade and was hospitalized.

The teen’s southbound Jeep then collided with two more cars: a northbound white GMC Yukon and a southbound Toyota Camry.

The teen driver of the Jeep Liberty died at the scene, according to OSP.

Bradly Pearce, 43, of Bend, was driving the Yukon and was uninjured.

Amie Gassner, 39, of Central Point, was driving the Camry. She, along with passengers Jamie Richmond, 39, and a 12-year-old female were transported via ambulance with non life-threatening injuries.

Oregon State Police were assisted at the scene by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Deschutes County Medical Examiner’s office, ODOT, Redmond Fire and Rescue, Department of Human Services and the Deschutes County Chaplain’s service.