ROGUE RIVER, Ore. (May. 18, 2026) — A Grants Pass man accused of driving drunk and traveling the wrong way on Interstate 5 was hospitalized with serious injuries Sunday night after crashing head-on into an SUV near Rogue River, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as Ivan Grover Barber Jr., 43, faces charges including driving under the influence of intoxicants, third-degree assault, reckless driving, reckless endangering, felony eluding and second-degree criminal mischief, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the incident began around 10:39 p.m. Sunday when a sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a speeding Toyota pickup in the 6400 block of Rogue River Highway. The driver allegedly fled eastbound at a high rate of speed toward the city of Rogue River.
Due to safety concerns, deputies terminated the pursuit before reaching the city limits, the sheriff’s office said.
A Rogue River police officer later deployed spike strips, disabling the truck. Authorities said Barber continued driving despite the damaged vehicle and entered Interstate 5 traveling northbound in the southbound lanes.
The pickup then crashed head-on into an oncoming SUV, totaling both vehicles, officials said. The SUV driver suffered minor injuries.
Jackson County Fire District 1 and American Medical Response crews responded to the scene and extricated Barber from the wreckage before transporting him to a local hospital.
The Oregon State Police is leading the crash investigation. Authorities said the case remains open and no additional information was immediately available.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
