Passenger Truck Strikes, Kills Pedestrian In I-5 Exit 33 Onramp Crosswalk (Photo) - 01/22/26

JCSO Case 26-0344

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A 65-year-old Central Point man driving a passenger truck struck and killed a 48-year-old man in the crosswalk at the Interstate 5 Exit 33 northbound onramp Wednesday evening in Central Point. The Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team is investigating the incident.

ECSO Dispatch received a report of a pedestrian struck at approximately 5:39 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21 at the intersection of Pine Street and the I-5 Exit 33 northbound onramp. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Central Point Police Department (CPPD), Jackson County Fire District 3, and Mercy Flights responded to the scene. The vehicle involved was a 2022 GMC Sierra.

Mercy Flights transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased approximately one hour after the crash. The victim was from the Las Vegas area. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

JCSO deputies on scene requested a STAR Team callout to conduct a full investigation. The STAR Team includes investigators from JCSO, Medford Police Department, CPPD, Ashland Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. The roadway was closed for approximately three hours while the investigation was conducted, and Jackson County Roads assisted with traffic control.

The driver is cooperating with the investigation. Based on the preliminary findings, no criminal charges are being considered at this time. Upon completion of the investigation, the results will be submitted to the DA’s Office for final review. The names of the driver and victim will not be released unless criminal charges are filed. No further information is available.

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Detectives Locate Runaway Teen In Eugene Area After 3-Day Search - 01/19/26

JCSO Case 26-0270

MEDFORD, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives located a runaway juvenile today after following a lead to the Eugene area. The teen, Ava Wall, 15, of rural Medford, was found safe three days after she was reported missing Friday night.

Potential criminal charges may be considered for individuals who harbored the runaway teen. There is no further information available for release at this time. 

Southern Oregon Law Enforcement Searching For Wanted Man Following Crime Spree (Photo) - 12/29/25

JCSO Case 25-6724

SOUTHERN OREGON — Law enforcement agencies throughout Southern Oregon are searching for a man wanted in connection with multiple stolen vehicles and a high-speed pursuit that occurred today.

The suspect, Billy Dean Gregory, 55, of O’Brien, Ore., is wanted on outstanding warrants and faces multiple charges, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, theft, reckless driving, and attempting to elude police. Gregory is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 198 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen around 1:00 p.m. switching stolen vehicles in the Colver Road area of Talent. At this time, it is unknown what vehicle he may be driving.

The initial incident began just before 10:30 a.m. when Josephine County reported a stolen vehicle eluding law enforcement on Interstate 5. The pursuit continued into Jackson County, where Central Point Police Department officers successfully deployed spike strips on the suspect vehicle along I-5. Despite the damage, the suspect continued to elude officers at a high rate of speed into Ashland. The pursuit was later terminated due to public safety concerns.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies subsequently located the abandoned vehicle on Lori Lane in Ashland and deployed K9 and drone teams to search the area. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.

Later, ECSO 911 Dispatch received a report of a vehicle stolen from Big Al’s restaurant in Ashland. That vehicle was later located on North Valley View Road outside of Ashland, where a third stolen vehicle was also reported. While attempting to locate the third stolen vehicle, ECSO received a call reporting the suspect stealing alcohol from the Talent Liquor store. Law enforcement ultimately located the third stolen vehicle in the 5800 block of Colver Road in Talent.

The suspect remains at large.

There is no further information available for release at this time. Anyone who sees Billy Dean Gregory or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.