Prineville, Ore. – Father Joseph Kunnelaya, the longtime pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, is making steady progress after undergoing surgery on his left leg. The 71‑year‑old priest was struck by a vehicle while crossing the intersection of North Main Street and Northeast 7th Street on the morning of Oct. 3.
Accident details and emergency response
According to a Prineville Police officer who witnessed the collision, the incident occurred at approximately 8:44 a.m. Father Kunnelaya was walking south on North Main Street and entered the crosswalk at Northeast 7th Street when a vehicle turning east onto 7th Street hit him. Emergency responders air‑lifted the priest to St. Charles Bend for critical care. Initial reports listed his condition as critical, but hospital updates later indicated he was stable and conscious.
Medical update from the parish
St. Joseph Catholic Church posted an update on its Facebook page, confirming that Father Kunnelaya “came through surgery” and that doctors are hopeful he will soon be moved out of the intensive care unit. The parish noted that he is in good spirits, there are no concerns about a brain injury, and his shoulder injury appears to be healing without intervention.
Police investigation
Investigators from the Prineville Police Department, assisted by the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, found no evidence that impairment played a role in the crash. Officers cited sun glare and other environmental conditions as possible factors that reduced the driver’s visibility. The driver remained at the scene, cooperated fully with law enforcement, and is currently under investigation.
Community support and prayers
The parish asked members of the community to refrain from visiting the hospital at this time. Instead, they invited anyone who wishes to send a card or note of encouragement to drop it off at the church office or mail it, where volunteers will deliver it to Father Kunnelaya. The church also requested continued prayers for the priest, his family, and the medical staff caring for him.
Looking ahead
While the exact cause of the accident remains under review, the swift response of first‑responders and the cooperation of the driver have been praised by local officials. The parish remains hopeful that Father Kunnelaya’s recovery will continue smoothly and that he will soon return to his pastoral duties, providing spiritual guidance to the Prineville community.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
