On Friday April 13, 2018, at about 2:42 p.m., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle fatal crash on Highway 260 near milepost 13.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a black Chevrolet C15 pickup, operated by Luther Masumoto, age 70, of Grants Pass, was traveling northbound on Highway 260 when he attempted to pass a dump truck traveling in the same direction. The driver side tires entered the ditch and the driver lost control of the vehicle, crossed both lanes of traffic and entered the northbound embankment and struck a tree. Masumoto suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Highway 260 was reduced to one lane for approximately two hours following the crash. OSP was assisted by Josephine County Sheriff’s Department, Josephine County Rural Metro Fire and ODOT. Speed is being considered as a contributing factor of the crash.