Malachi Longstroth Killed: Motorcycle Accident on SE Second Street in Bend
19-year-old passenger dies in head-on collision at Miller Avenue intersection
Malachi Longstroth, 19, of Redmond, died Friday, March 13, when the motorcycle he was riding crashed with a Subaru Crosstrek in Bend, Oregon, police said. The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. at Southeast Second Street and Miller Avenue, the agency reported.
Longstroth was a passenger on a motorcycle traveling north on Southeast Second Street. A 20-year-old Bend man drove the motorcycle.
A Subaru Crosstrek, traveling south, turned left onto Miller Avenue. The motorcycle and the Subaru then crashed head-on.
Both Longstroth and the motorcyclist were ejected from the motorcycle. Longstroth died at the scene.
Paramedics rushed the motorcyclist to St. Charles Medical Center with serious injuries. The driver of the Subaru was not hurt and cooperated with investigators.
The Bend Police Department’s reconstruction team investigated the crash. The corner of the intersection closed for about three hours Friday night.
Police said the crash remains under investigation.
The Bend Police Department is leading the ongoing investigation into the mechanics of the head-on collision. A news release from the agency states that the crash occurred just after 6:30 p.m. on March 13. High speed on the part of the motorcycle appeared to be a significant factor. Officers used AEDs, performed CPR, and applied tourniquets in an attempt to save Longstroth's life, but he died at the incident site. No charges have been announced as reconstruction teams continue to process the evidence collected at Southeast Second Street and Miller Avenue.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "I've seen families shattered by the physics of a high-speed impact that simply wasn't survivable. Speed differential is actually a better predictor of severity than how fast the cars were originally going."
Following a fatal motorcycle collision, the family of the deceased may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support. Oregon law allows for such claims when a death is caused by the negligent or wrongful act of another party. In many cases, insurance companies for the involved parties will conduct their own assessments, which may not align with the best interests of the victim's family. Engaging an attorney to perform a comprehensive, independent investigation can help ensure that all evidence is preserved and that a family’s legal rights are fully protected.