Gold Hill, Oregon- Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday morning near Interstate 5 in rural Gold Hill. Authorities say the suspect has been taken into custody, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The victim has been identified as Steven Jason Worthington, 47, of Shady Cove. “Our condolences go out to his family and friends,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) received multiple 911 calls at 8:01 a.m. reporting an injured person attempting to flag down cars on I-5 southbound near mile marker 42.5. Deputies and paramedics from Fire District 1 in Rogue River responded and attempted lifesaving measures, but Worthington was pronounced dead at 8:36 a.m.
Investigators from the Oregon State Police, Rogue River Police Department, and the Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) responded to assist in the search for the suspect and an associated vehicle.
At about 10:00 a.m., ECSO dispatchers received another call reporting a suspicious person in the 1000 block of Galls Creek Road. Deputies and detectives determined the man was the suspect in the homicide.
The suspect, Michael Lloyd Balestra Jr., 34, of Gold Hill, was taken into custody and booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree theft, unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Interstate 5 southbound at mile marker 42.5 was restricted to one lane during the initial investigation but has since reopened. The intersection of Old Stage Road and Galls Creek Road was also closed during the on-scene investigation and has now reopened. The OSP Crime Lab responded to assist with forensic analysis.
MADIU includes detectives from OSP, JCSO, the Medford, Central Point, and Ashland Police Departments, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities said there is no further information available for release.
Friends of the victim have created a GoFundMe to help pay for expenses, here is their provided link.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Medford Alert News is not affiliated with or connected to any GoFundMe campaigns mentioned in our reports. Any links provided are for informational purposes only. We advise readers to verify the legitimacy of any fundraising efforts before contributing.
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