A Bend firefighter on a motorcycle died Saturday night after hitting a bear and then being struck by another driver.

At about 7 p.m., Oregon State Police and other emergency personnel responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 26 near Warm Springs. Rhett Larsen, 39, was riding east when he struck and killed a bear, Oregon State Police said. Larsen was thrown from his motorcycle and was then hit by Oregon City resident Margaret Sweo, 57, who was driving west. Sweo was transported to a hospital by Life Flight after her car rolled.

Larsen was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, Bend Firefighters, Local 227, said, "Rhett was not only an exceptional firefighter, he was a loyal friend, respected mentor, and loving father. The loss of such a fun-loving, energetic soul is felt deeply by both the Bend Fire Department and the Bend community."

-- Corlyn Voorhees