(KTVZ-TV) Deschutes County authorities on Wednesday identified two Oregon City men killed in an explosion inside a restored 1944 M-18 "Hellcat" tank destroyer near a public firing range east of Bend.
Sheriff Shane Nelson identified the victims as Steven Todd Preston, 51, and Austin Tyler Lee, 22.
Nelson said his office was continuing its investigation into the explosion that occurred shortly after 3 p.m. off U.S. Highway 20E near milepost 24.
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They are being assisted by the Oregon State Police Arson and Explosives Section, as well as the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The investigators are working closely with the Deschutes County District Attorney's Office. ATF officials said while you are allowed to have a tank in Oregon, they issue permits only for the gun on the tank and not the tank itself.
