On December 9, 2017, at about 2:25 a.m., Oregon State Police (OSP) Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two-vehicle crash on New Hope Road in Josephine County.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2001 Subaru Legacy, operated by Stuart Douglas HAMILTON, age 21, of Grants Pass, was traveling southbound in the 2000 block of New Hope Road when his vehicle crossed into the oncoming lane of travel. The Subaru collided nearly head-on with a 2000 Honda Civic, operated by Chrystal Starr BERKO, age 41, of Grants Pass.
Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway blocking both lanes of travel. BERKO was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. HAMILTON extricated himself and denied medical attention.
HAMILTON showed signs of impairment and a DUII investigation was conducted. HAMILTON was subsequently taken into custody and ultimately lodged at the Josephine County Correctional Facility on following charges:
Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII)
Reckless Driving
Manslaughter II
New Hope Road was closed for about three hours while Troopers investigated the crash scene. OSP was assisted by the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Josephine County American Medical Response (AMR), and Josephine County Rural Metro Fire Department.