Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash - 26-30516 (Photo) - 11/08/26

On November 6, 2026, at approximately 7:50 pm, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash in the 1900 block of Robertson Bridge Road. Deputies were assisted by Rural Metro Fire, American Medical Response, and the Oregon State Police.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a single vehicle traveling westbound crossed into the eastbound lane and left the roadway, rolling into the eastbound ditch. The vehicle’s sole occupant was ejected during the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The deceased has been identified as Dawn Burton (71).  Next of kin have been notified.  Our deepest condolences go out to Dawn's family and friends during this difficult time. 

At the time of this press release, no additional information is being released. 

Robbery - Shop Smart, Cave Junction - 11/02/26

CASE: 26-29994

DETAILS:

On November 1, 2026, at approximately 6:02pm, Josephine County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to a reported robbery at Shop Smart in Cave Junction. Dispatch advised that the suspect, described as a male riding a bicycle, had reportedly used a hatchet during the robbery.

The investigation determined that the suspect, identified as Wayne Patrick Baker (37), threatened the victim multiple times with the hatchet before fleeing the business with more than $1,000 worth of merchandise.

While responding to the incident , Deputies located Baker riding a bicycle on Highway 199 near Laurel Road near the Lil' Pantry/Sinclair gas station. Deputies attempted to stop Baker, but he refused to comply with commands and continued fleeing on his bicycle.

During the attempt to take Baker into custody, deputies used a patrol vehicle to block his path alongside a highway guardrail. Baker attempted to maneuver around the vehicle and intentionally struck the front bumper, causing damage to the patrol vehicle.

Baker was ultimately taken into custody without further incident.

The following charges have been referred to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office for review:

• Robbery I
• Unlawful Use of a Weapon
• Theft I
• Menacing
• Criminal Mischief I
• Resisting Arrest

At the time of this press release, no further details are being released.

Hit And Run Crash With Injuries (Photo) - 10/27/26

INCIDENT DATE / TIME: 10/26/2026 at 7:17pm

REPORTING DEPUTY: Sgt. Stanton

ARRESTED: Arthur Espinoza, 40-year-old male

CHARGES:    Assault III - Felony

                       Hit and Run Accident with Injury - Felony                                                                        

                       Reckless Driving

                       Attempted Assault IV                                               

DETAILS: On October 26^th, 2026, 9-1-1 received a call for a head-on crash on North Frontage Road in Wolf Creek.  Both vehicles were reported to be in the roadway and on fire.

Enroute units were advised that the driver who caused the crash fled on foot towards the freeway after trying to assault an occupant of the other vehicle. The driver was located by the Oregon State Police near mile post 75 of Interstate 5 and detained.

Responding units arrived to find both vehicles fully engulfed in flames.  Both occupants of the other vehicle were transported to Three Rivers Community Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Arthur Espinoza was identified as the driver who fled.  He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the above-mentioned charges. The initial investigation shows Espinoza was traveling south at a high rate of speed in the northbound lane on North Frontage Road and struck an oncoming vehicle head-on near the exit 76 on ramp.  North Frontage Road was closed for approximately 2 hours due to extensive clean-up of both burnt vehicles.

The Oregon State Police additionally charged Espinoza with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Disorderly Conduct II.

No further information will be released at this time.

Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash (Photo) - 10/27/26

INCIDENT NUMBER: 26-29466

INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: October 26, 2026, at 5:07pm

REPORTING DEPUTY: Corporal Hart

INCIDENT TYPE: Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash

DECEASED: Brent Smith, 54-year-old-male  

On October 26^th, 2026, at 5:07 pm, 9-1-1 was notified of a motor vehicle crash on BLM road 38-6-1 near Spencer Creek Road in Murphy.

Rural Metro Fire, AMR, Oregon State Police, and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrived to find a pickup truck rolled off an embankment and the driver had been ejected. The driver was deceased upon arrival and was the only occupant in the vehicle.

The initial investigation indicates the vehicle was travelling towards Spencer Creek on a gravel BLM road. The vehicle left the roadway, and went down an embankment, striking several trees, before coming to rest on its side nearly 500 feet down from the roadway.  Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue’s Rope Team was activated and successfully recovered Brent.

Next of kin has been notified.  Our deepest condolences go out to Brent’s family and friends during this difficult time. 

We would like to thank Search and Rescue Rope Rescue Team for assisting in the recovery.  No further information will be released at this time.

UPDATE: LOCATED Missing Person/Runaway: Ray, Dameian (Photo) - 10/20/26

UPDATE: DANEIAN HAS BEEN LOCATED SAFE.

Name: Dameian Ray

Age: 15

Sex: Male

Race: Caucasian

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 120

Hair: Blonde/Light Brown

Eyes: Brown

Case: 26-28405

Information: Dameian ran away from his residence in the Murphy area on October 15th, 2026, around 07:26 PM. Dameian was wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, black hat, and sandals.

If you have any information, please contact Josephine County Sheriff's Office, 541-474-5123.

LOCATED: Missing Person: Wylie, Ashley (Photo) - 10/16/26

UPDATE: ASHLEY WYLIE HAS BEEN LOCATED SAFE.

Name: Ashely Wylie

Age: 33

Sex: Female

Race: Caucasian

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 125

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Hazel

Case: 26-28404

Information: On October 15th, 2026 around 1:00pm, Ashley Wylie was last seen on foot in the Allen Creek area of Grants Pass. Ashley was wearing a light tan jacket and long black pants. Her directions of travel is unknown.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Ashley, please call Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, 541-474-5123. 

Accidental Drowning - Cave Junction - 10/15/26

RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2026

INCIDENT: Accidental Drowning  

VICTIM: 2-Year-Old Male

INCIDENT DATE / TIME: October 14, 2026, 10:48am

CASE NUMBER: 26-28233

REPORTING DEPUTY: Lieutenant Jim Geiger

DETAILS: On October 14, 2026, at 10:48 am, Deputies were dispatched to a missing child call in the 100 block of Burch Drive located outside of Cave Junction, Oregon.

Prior to Deputy arrival, family members located the child unconscious in the Illinois River that runs behind the family’s property.

Deputies and family members performed CPR on the child until an ambulance from American Medical Response arrived on scene.

The child was transported to a local hospital where he subsequently passed away. 

Detectives from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and conducted an investigation.  A Medicolegal Death Investigator from the District Attorney’s Office responded, and at the time of this press release, there is no evidence of foul play. Next of kin have been notified.

Out of respect to the family, names will not be released.  Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.