A Redmond teenager died on March 13 when the motorcycle he was a passenger on smashed into a turning Subaru driver in southeast Bend.
At around 6:28 pm, Bend Police officers responded to the crash site at the intersection of SE Second Street and Miller Avenue. Traveling north on Second Street, the motorcyclists, who were both wearing helmets, collided head-on with the Crosstrek driver, who was turning left through their lane of traffic onto SE Miller Avenue, according to the Bend Police Department. The riders were thrown from the motorcycle.
The passenger, Malachi Longstroth, 19, from Redmond, died at the scene. The driver of a Subaru Crosstrek, 25, a Bend resident, remained at the collision where he cooperated with officers. Bend PD is not identifying him because he has not been cited, says Sheila Miller, the department’s communication manager.
By 7 pm, responding Bend Police officers had taped off that portion of Second Street. In the middle of the road, a helmeted body lay beneath a sheet.
The motorcycle driver, a 20-year-old Bend resident, was transported to St. Charles Bend after responding Bend Police officers rendered aid with a defibrillator, applied tourniquets and administered CPR.
Both eyewitnesses and video indicate the motorcyclist was speeding, according to Miller. That velocity is considered a primary factor in this case.
In life, Longstroth was know for his friendly outgoingness, those who knew him said.
In September 2024, Longstroth became a member of the Pilgrim chapter of the Oregon DeMolay, an international youth leadership organization that strives to “shape young men into leaders of character,” according to its website.
“Malachi was a very kind and genuine young man who always went out of his way to say hi when he saw someone he knew,” Heather Bryan, the Pilgrim chapter advisor, told the Source. On the evening of March 14, the day after the collision, Bryan’s chapter came together to memorialize Longstroth, draping a black ribbon over their charter plaque on the wall.
On the Oregon DeMolay Facebook page, friends and community members left heart-felt comments.
“Got the chance to see him on multiple occasions, one of the kindest men I know,” a commenter wrote, including a red heart emoji. “Rest in Peace, Malachi.”
“I loved Malachi so much,” added another.
“I know you did,” a third rejoined. “I know Malachi knew it, too.”
In addition to Oregon DeMolay, The Source reached out to Redmond Proficiency Academy School, from which Longstroth graduated in 2024, seeking testimonials. We will update this story with more information about Longstroth’s life when those close to him are available.
Once the crash investigation is complete, Bend PD will refer this case to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for consideration in charging the motorcycle driver. Police haven’t released his name, as the investigation team hasn’t been able to interview him due to injuries and ongoing hospitalization, Miller said.
Details about the motorcyclist’s status regarding licensure, insurance and toxicology report are components of the open investigation, which Bend PD will not disclose at this time.
Shortly after the March 13 collision, the Bend PD crash reconstruction team responded to the scene. Southeast Second Street was closed for about three hours.
This article appears in the Source March 19, 2026.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
This is such a sad story. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can cut short drastically. My heart goes out to the young man’s family and friends as they navigate this unimaginable grief.