DUII Crash Damages 100-Year-Old Gold Hill Bridge; Suspect Arrested, Bridge Deemed Unsafe (Photo) - 06/01/26

GOLD HILL, Ore. – A single-vehicle DUII crash has closed the nearly 100-year-old Lampman Road Bridge over Galls Creek in Gold Hill. Due to significant structural damage, the Jackson County Roads and Parks Department has deemed the bridge unsafe and closed it indefinitely to all traffic.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to the crash on Sunday, May 31, at 8:34 PM in the 1600 block of Lampman Road. The 27-year-old female driver was located walking away from the crash scene. Deputies observed signs of impairment, and the driver consented to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). A breath test showed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.24%. Deputies arrested the woman for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII). Rogue River Police Department responded to assist.

The crash caused extensive damage to the historic steel truss bridge. Following an assessment, Jackson County Roads and Parks determined the bridge is unsafe for any load. The bridge is now closed to all vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic, and travelers must use alternate routes.

“Important structural components of the nearly 100-year-old bridge trusses were damaged to the point that our Engineering team has serious concerns with the structural stability of the bridge,” says Steve Lambert, Jackson County Roads and Parks Director. “To ensure the safety of our residents, the bridge will be closed and first responders have been notified.”

“Fortunately, we have already secured grant funding to replace this bridge and design is well-underway,” says Lambert.  “However, it will be an extended closure as we continue to work with ODOT through the design and procurement process.”

This crash highlights the serious dangers of impaired driving. While no injuries were reported in this crash, DUII-related crashes can have devastating consequences, including serious injury or loss of life. In this case, a driver's decision to drive impaired resulted in significant damage to a historic public bridge and the indefinite closure of a critical transportation route for local residents. DUII enforcement in Jackson County is supported in part by grant funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).