GOLD HILL, Ore. (May. 16, 2026) — The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian early Saturday morning in the Gold Hill area and is asking the public for help identifying the suspect vehicle and driver.
Deputies responded at 3:12 a.m. Saturday, May 16, to a report of a man down on Access Road near the intersection of Blackwell Road and the Jackson County Fire District 3 Gold Hill Station, according to the sheriff’s office. Medics were dispatched, but the 47-year-old man died from his injuries before emergency crews arrived.
Investigators said the crash is believed to have occurred sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 3:12 a.m. Authorities believe the involved vehicle was traveling north on Access Road, near Interstate 5 Exit 40, toward the intersection with Blackwell Road when the collision occurred.
The Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to assist with the investigation.
The make and model of the suspect vehicle remain unknown. Detectives said the vehicle is likely to have visible damage to the headlight, hood or windshield.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the crash, the suspect or the involved vehicle to contact ECSO Dispatch at 541-776-7206 and reference case number 26-2466.
Next-of-kin notifications have been completed, but authorities said the victim’s identity is not being released at this time.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
UPDATE 5/18/26: Sheriff’s Office releases names of victim and suspect.
The victim of Saturday morning’s hit-and-run fatality is Justin David Hannaford, 47, of Gold Hill. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested the hit-and-run suspect at approximately 6 PM Saturday evening in the 7100 block of West Evans Creek Road. The suspect, Shavon Marie Walker, 44, of Gold Hill is charged with failure to perform duties of a driver to injured persons, a Class B felony if a person dies as a result of the collision. She is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.
This case is under further investigation.
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