On July 1, a paraglider crash into the Willamette River claimed the life of a 51-year-old Eugene man. Now, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has arrested Jarrod Karl Kaplan, a 56-year-old from Eugene, in connection with the incident.
Kaplan, who had portrayed himself online as a paragliding instructor, found himself under investigation by BCSO Detectives after the fatal crash. The tandem flight involved Kaplan and the victim, and it was purchased online.
The fatal incident unfolded when Kaplan’s paraglider struck a powerline, resulting in a crash into the Willamette River. The crash left the 51-year-old male passenger from Eugene submerged, and despite first responders’ efforts, he was pronounced deceased.
The pair had taken off from Irish Bend Park, following the river’s course. It was during their return journey that the deadly incident took place.
In the aftermath of the incident, the pilot was rescued with the assistance of two fishermen on a nearby boat. Following the rescue, he was transported to the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
Jarrod Karl Kaplan now faces charges of Criminal Negligent Homicide and is presently detained at the Benton County Jail, awaiting arraignment. The initial investigation conducted by BCSO shed light on the circumstances surrounding the crash, ultimately leading to Kaplan’s arrest.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: BCSO
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
