MEDFORD, Ore. (May. 8, 2026) — A Jackson County man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted in a serious hit-and-run crash that left a pedestrian with significant injuries in rural Jackson County, prosecutors said.
The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced that Jason Allan Baker, 41, was convicted April 21 following a two-day jury trial on charges including fourth-degree assault, aggravated driving while suspended or revoked, failure to perform the duties of a driver to a seriously injured person, recklessly endangering another person and tampering with physical evidence.
Jurors also found multiple sentencing enhancement factors, including that Baker showed a lack of remorse and committed some of the crimes in an effort to avoid punishment or prosecution, prosecutors said.
Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jeremy Markiewicz sentenced Baker on May 4 to eight years in prison followed by three years of post-prison supervision. The court also ordered Baker to pay restitution.
The charges stem from a Jan. 26, 2025, crash on Queens Branch Road in the Wimer area of Jackson County.
According to investigators, the victim was walking along the roadside with two other people while leading horses back to a ranch when Baker’s vehicle struck her. Authorities said several vehicles had safely passed the group before the collision.
Prosecutors said Baker briefly slowed after the crash but did not stop and instead fled the scene. The victim suffered serious injuries to her head and lower body.
Investigators used traffic camera footage to determine Baker’s vehicle had turned onto Queens Branch Road shortly before the collision. During the investigation, Baker gave multiple false statements to law enforcement, including falsely claiming his vehicle had been stolen, prosecutors said.
Authorities said Baker later admitted he was driving the vehicle and fled because he knew his driver’s license had been revoked.
According to the district attorney’s office, Baker’s driving privileges had previously been revoked under Oregon’s “habitual offender” designation because of his extensive history of driving-related offenses.
While in custody awaiting trial, Baker made jail calls in which he blamed and insulted the victim, prosecutors said. Authorities said he continued making similar statements after his conviction while awaiting sentencing.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Cohen prosecuted the case. The district attorney’s office credited the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for its investigation.
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