Hwy. 97 Fatal, Jefferson Co.

OSP release – Jefferson County, Ore. (Feb. 9, 2026)- On Sunday, February 9, 2026, at 4:01 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97, near milepost 102, in Jefferson County. The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Subaru Forester, operated by Aaron Lee Bottorff (51) of La Grande, crossed into the southbound lane for unknown reasons and struck a southbound Jeep Cherokee, operated by Brayan Gonzalez Celestino (34) of Bend, head-on. The operator of the Subaru (Bottorff) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Jeep (Gonzalez Celestino) reportedly suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital. The highway was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office, Jefferson County Fire, and ODOT.

Hwy. 58 Fatal, Lane Co.

OSP release - Lane County, Ore. (Feb. 9, 2026)- On Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 1:29 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 58, near milepost 40, in Lane County. The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Toyota Tacoma, operated by Anais Spring Rowell (25) of Oakridge, left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a tree head-on. The operator of the Toyota (Rowell) and passenger, Malia Kana Malo (24) of Oakridge, were declared deceased at the scene. Neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt. The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Oakridge Fire and ODOT.

I-5 Fatal, Southern OR, Update

OSP release - UPDATE: OSP is asking for any potential witnesses or anyone with information to contact OSP Dispatch at 800-442-2068 or dial *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-035245. Investigators believe the pedestrian (Byam) was struck sometime between 9:45 p.m. on January 30, 2026, and 7:20 a.m. on January 31, 2026. Original release - JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (Feb. 2, 2026) – On Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 7:20 a.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a report of a person down on the northbound shoulder of Interstate 5 near the Exit 24 on ramp. The preliminary investigation indicated the pedestrian, Anthony Jonathan Byam (34) of Phoenix, had been struck by a vehicle that did not stop. Byam was declared deceased at the scene. An investigation into the hit-and-run crash is ongoing. The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Fire District and the Oregon Department of Transportation.