17-Year-Old Charged With Homicide After Crash Kills Passenger, Sparks 15,000-Acre Wildfire in Southern Oregon

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — A 17-year-old Oregon driver has been arrested on a criminally negligent homicide charge after a rollover crash in rural Jackson County killed his passenger and sparked a wildfire that eventually grew to more than 15,000 acres.

Juvenile Driver Detained After Fatal Crash

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the teenager was arrested Friday, Sept. 18, and lodged at the Jackson County Juvenile Detention facility.

He is also charged with reckless driving and second-degree criminal mischief. His name was not released because he is a juvenile.

The crash occurred July 10 in the 18,000 block of East Evans Creek Road near Rogue River. According to the sheriff’s office, the 17-year-old was driving a 2002 Ford Ranger when it left a nearby licensed cannabis production location at a high rate of speed and crashed into a power pole.

The 18-year-old male passenger was taken to a local hospital and died July 18 from injuries sustained in the crash.

An Oregon Department of Forestry engine crew was patrolling nearby and arrived at the crash scene within about 30 seconds, according to the sheriff’s office. While crew members provided medical assistance, they also began fighting the fire sparked by the crash and called for additional resources.

The fire spread rapidly through dry vegetation, prompting evacuations of nearby residences before eventually growing to more than 15,000 acres.

Investigators with the Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team determined that speed was the primary contributing factor, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators also determined the driver did not have a valid license. The case remains under investigation.