NEAR MEDFORD, Ore. (Sep. 2, 2026) — Two drivers were seriously injured Saturday night in a high-speed head-on crash on West Griffin Creek Road, and a 34-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants after a blood test showed her blood alcohol concentration was 0.20%, authorities said.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the crash at about 7:41 p.m. Aug. 29. The preliminary investigation indicates the woman was driving a 2025 Toyota RAV4 at a high rate of speed when she crossed into the oncoming lane for unknown reasons and collided head-on with a 2009 Toyota Highlander.
Both drivers were trapped inside their vehicles and suffered serious injuries. Medford Fire crews extricated both patients from the vehicles, and Mercy Flights transported them to a local hospital.
Because of the severity of the collision, the Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team, known as the STAR Team, responded to investigate. The team is a specialized unit that investigates fatal and complex serious-injury crashes and operates through a collaborative agreement involving the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
The woman’s blood was obtained through a trauma blood draw, and testing showed a BAC of 0.20%, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Oregon’s legal BAC limit for drivers is 0.08%.
The crash comes as law enforcement agencies across the region prepare for increased DUII enforcement during Labor Day weekend.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will join local, state and regional law enforcement agencies in a multi-agency, high-visibility DUII enforcement patrol. Additional deputies and officers will be on the road specifically looking for impaired drivers and other dangerous driving behavior.
The enhanced enforcement is supported in part by grant funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Deputies and officers will be watching for signs of impaired driving, including erratic or reckless driving, speeding and failing to maintain a lane.
“If you drive impaired, you risk being stopped and arrested,” the Sheriff’s Office said, emphasizing that DUII enforcement remains a priority as agencies work to prevent crashes and save lives on Jackson County roads.
Authorities are urging drivers to plan ahead before celebrating the holiday weekend. Residents are encouraged to designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service or taxi, and give their keys to someone sober if they plan to drink.
People hosting gatherings are also encouraged to ensure their guests have a safe and sober way home.
Anyone who sees a suspected impaired driver on the road is urged to call 911.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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