A tragic collision on Thursday night claimed the lives of two Prospect residents after their disabled pickup truck was struck on Mill Creek Road, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:04 p.m. and is currently under investigation by the Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team.
The victims have been identified as 67-year-old Arthur Rowden and 51-year-old Gary Tate. Both men were outside of their 1987 Toyota pickup, which had broken down and was sitting in the eastbound lane of Mill Creek Road with its lights off when it was struck by a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer driven by an 18-year-old Prospect resident.
Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO 911) received the initial call, prompting a response from Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies and personnel from the Prospect Fire Department, who were first to arrive and confirmed the fatalities at the scene.
The driver of the Trailblazer survived and is fully cooperating with the investigation. At this time, speed and impairment are not believed to be factors, and no criminal charges have been filed.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragic incident,” the sheriff’s office stated. The next of kin have been notified.
The STAR Team includes members from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Central Point Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.
