On December 4, 2017 at approximately 10:45pm, Oregon State Police from the Grants Pass Area Command responded to a single vehicle fatal crash near milepost 1 on Williams Highway in Josephine County. This is a county highway approximately 14 miles southwest of Grants Pass.
The preliminary investigation has determined that 27 year old, Joshua SILVA from Escondido, CA was operating a 1999 Toyota pick-up westbound on Williams Highway and for an unknown reason, failed to negotiate a left hand curve driving off the roadway into a ditch. He continued traveling in the ditch, striking a telephone pole; which caused the truck to roll. There were two passengers in the truck; 27 year old, Chase HOVLAND, from Tacoma, WA who received minor injuries. The other passenger was ejected from the truck and did not survive the crash. At this time we will not be releasing the deceased passengers name until we can notify his family.
The Oregon State Police is investigating impairment (drugs/alcohol) as a contributing factor of the crash.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by Applegate Fire Department and the Josephine County District Attorney's office.