On December 11, 2024, the Medford Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision near the intersection of Riverside Avenue and 9th Street in downtown Medford. Officers determined that a pedestrian was walking in a crosswalk when they were struck by a vehicle. The driver briefly stopped but then fled the scene. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

The Serious Traffic Accident Response Team (STAR) was activated to investigate the incident. Within approximately 45 minutes, investigators gathered video surveillance and witness statements, enabling them to issue an alert for the suspect vehicle—a silver Nissan Xterra with specific Oregon license plates. About three hours after the crash, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy located the vehicle in White City.

The investigation revealed that the pedestrian, a 31-year-old male, was crossing in a clearly marked crosswalk with warning lights activated. Multiple other vehicles had stopped to yield for the pedestrian, but the suspect vehicle failed to do so as required. The victim remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Shane Gavazza of Medford, was arrested and lodged in the Jackson County Jail. He faces charges of Felony Hit-and-Run and Assault in the Third Degree. There was no evidence of impairment.