Suspect Named and Charged in Fatal South Medford Hit-and-Run

Medford, Oregon- On Friday, October 11, at approximately 3:23 p.m., the Medford Police Department responded to a fatal hit-and-run incident involving a vehicle and a bicyclist on South Pacific Highway. The bicyclist, 41-year-old Jimilee “James” Thomas, was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving attempts by officers and medical personnel, he was a resident of Bend.

The incident occurred after multiple witnesses reported a vehicle driving erratically in the area. As officers were responding to these calls, the vehicle reportedly drifted out of its lane and struck Thomas, who was legally operating his electric bicycle in the southbound bike lane. The driver did not stop but fled to a nearby parking lot, where Medford Police officers quickly located and apprehended the individual.

Following an extensive investigation led by the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team, the driver, 36-year-old Cassie Jane Cavagnaro, was determined to have been under the influence of an inhalant (Dust-Off) at the time of the crash. Her last listed address was in Cave Junction. The investigation concluded that Cavagnaro’s vehicle veered off the road and fatally struck Thomas before she fled the scene.

Cavagnaro, who was initially lodged at the Jackson County Jail for a probation violation, now faces multiple charges related to the fatal collision. On October 16, 2024, the following charges were added:

Manslaughter in the First Degree
Manslaughter in the Second Degree
Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) – Inhalant
Reckless Driving
Recklessly Endangering Another Person
Hit and Run – Felony

The case is being prosecuted by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

The Medford Police Department has expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, acknowledging the tragic loss. The case number for this investigation is MPD Case Number 24-16747.