I-5 Wrong Way Drunk Driver Crashes Head-On With SUV
- 05/18/26
Video Available for Download: https://vimeo.com/1193414348?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
JCSO Case 26-2500
ROGUE RIVER, Ore. – A drunk driver is in the hospital after driving the wrong way on I-5 before crashing head-on into an oncoming SUV. The suspect, Ivan Grover Barber Jr., 43, of Grants Pass, is charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, third-degree assault, reckless driving, recklessly endangering, felony elude, and second-degree criminal mischief. He is in a local hospital with serious injuries.
On Sunday, May 17 at 10:39 PM, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputy attempted to pull over a speeding Toyota pickup in the 6400 block of Rogue River Highway. The truck eluded east at high speed towards the city of Rogue River. Due to safety concerns, JCSO terminated the pursuit prior to the city limits.
A Rogue River police officer deployed spike strips and disabled the truck, but Barber continued driving the wrong way onto Interstate 5, traveling northbound in the southbound lanes. Barber crashed head-on into an oncoming SUV, totaling both vehicles and causing minor injuries to the other driver. Jackson County Fire District 1 and American Medical Response medics arrived on scene to extricate and transport the wrong-way driver.
This case is open and ongoing. There is no further information available for release. Oregon State Police is conducting the crash investigation.
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I-5 Wrong Way Drunk Driver Crashes Head-On With SUV
- 05/18/26
Video Available for Download: https://vimeo.com/1193414348?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
JCSO Case 26-2500
ROGUE RIVER, Ore. – A drunk driver is in the hospital after driving the wrong way on I-5 before crashing head-on into an oncoming SUV. The suspect, Ivan Grover Barber Jr., 43, of Grants Pass, is charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, third-degree assault, reckless driving, recklessly endangering, felony elude, and second-degree criminal mischief. He is in a local hospital with serious injuries.
On Sunday, May 17 at 10:39 PM, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputy attempted to pull over a speeding Toyota pickup in the 6400 block of Rogue River Highway. The truck eluded east at high speed towards the city of Rogue River. Due to safety concerns, JCSO terminated the pursuit prior to the city limits.
A Rogue River police officer deployed spike strips and disabled the truck, but Barber continued driving the wrong way onto Interstate 5, traveling northbound in the southbound lanes. Barber crashed head-on into an oncoming SUV, totaling both vehicles and causing minor injuries to the other driver. Jackson County Fire District 1 and American Medical Response medics arrived on scene to extricate and transport the wrong-way driver.
This case is open and ongoing. There is no further information available for release. Oregon State Police is conducting the crash investigation.
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