On Sunday, January 29th, 2023 at approximately 5:15 a.m. Medford Police officers and medical personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash near Crater Lake Ave. and E. Main St. Upon arrival, officers found the vehicle had crashed into a tree and was on fire. Witnesses pulled the driver out of the vehicle and officers on scene were able to get the passenger and a dog out. The Medford Fire Department extinguished the vehicle fire. The driver was seriously injured and was pronounced deceased at scene. The sole passenger was transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center and is currently in critical condition.  

The driver has been identified as 23-year-old Christian Picon and next of kin have been notified.

Members of the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded and were able to determine the vehicle was heading southbound on Crater Lake Avenue when it was unable to navigate a turn. Further crash details are under investigation.