Jackson County Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

Medford, Oregon- The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced that Gary Caperna pleaded guilty Friday to felony hit-and-run resulting in death or serious physical injury and driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Caperna was sentenced to three years of probation. If he violates the terms of his probation, he will serve an 18-month prison sentence. His driver’s license was also revoked.

The charges stem from a crash that occurred on June 6, 2023, around 10:30 p.m. on Interstate 5 near the Jackson County Expo. The Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team, which includes the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and the District Attorney’s Office, conducted the investigation.

According to investigators, Shasta Smith was driving southbound on I-5 in a Honda Pilot when she collided with a Kia Rio traveling ahead of her. The collision caused the Kia to roll over the center median and land on the northbound shoulder. Investigators could not determine the cause of the initial crash, but later confirmed that Smith was heavily intoxicated at the time. The driver of the Kia Rio was also charged with driving under the influence.

Smith’s vehicle caught fire after the crash. She escaped and ran toward the Kia Rio to assist its occupants but was unable to help. She then entered the northbound lanes of I-5, attempting to flag down a passing vehicle.

At that moment, Caperna was driving a Ford F-150 northbound. His vehicle struck Smith, killing her. He then left the scene, but investigators identified him using his front license plate, which had fallen off in the collision. When police located him, Caperna admitted to consuming alcohol before driving and was intoxicated at the time.

Prosecutors determined that pursuing more serious charges, such as manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, would have been difficult given the circumstances. Smith was heavily intoxicated, and key witnesses were unavailable to clarify critical details about when and how she entered the roadway.

The District Attorney’s Office consulted with Smith’s surviving sisters during plea negotiations, and they supported the resolution.

“This case highlights the dangers of driving under the influence and the devastating, tragic consequences that can result,” the District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

The prosecution was handled by Deputy District Attorney Matt Anderson.