Eagle Point Woman Killed While Trying to Rescue Puppy

Near Eagle Point- Oregon State Police (OSP) are investigating a fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision that occurred on Highway 62 in Jackson County on Monday evening.

At approximately 7:53 p.m., OSP responded to a reported incident near milepost 13 on Highway 62. Preliminary findings suggest that 29-year-old Yesica Valenzuela-Quezada, of Eagle Point, entered the roadway while attempting to retrieve a puppy that had run into the highway.

Valenzuela-Quezada was struck by an eastbound Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 45-year-old Melissa Ann Marie Love, also of Eagle Point. Tragically, Valenzuela-Quezada was declared deceased at the scene.

The driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe remained at the location and cooperated fully with investigators. She was not reported to have sustained any injuries.

The section of Highway 62 was closed for approximately three hours while the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) conducted an on-scene investigation. The CRU, a specialized team within OSP, focuses on documenting and analyzing serious and fatal motor vehicle collisions. They use advanced techniques, including small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), to aid in the assessment of complex crash sites.

OSP received assistance from multiple local agencies, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Fire Districts 3 and 4, the Eagle Point Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Here is a GoFundMe that has been setup by the victims friends and family.

Officials state the investigation remains ongoing.