MURPHY, Ore. (Oct. 27, 2026) — A 54-year-old man was killed Monday evening after his pickup truck left a gravel road and plunged nearly 500 feet down an embankment in Josephine County, authorities said.
The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office identified the driver as Brent Smith, 54, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency dispatchers received a report of a motor vehicle crash at approximately 5:07 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, on Bureau of Land Management Road 38-6-1 near Spencer Creek Road in the Murphy area.
Deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded alongside Rural Metro Fire, American Medical Response and Oregon State Police.
When first responders arrived, they discovered a pickup truck that had rolled down an embankment. The driver had been ejected from the vehicle and was already deceased. Authorities confirmed Smith was the vehicle’s only occupant.
According to the preliminary investigation, Smith was traveling toward Spencer Creek on a gravel BLM road when his pickup left the roadway, traveled down a steep embankment and struck several trees before coming to rest on its side nearly 500 feet below the road.
Due to the location of the wreckage, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Rope Team was activated to assist with recovering Smith’s body. The team successfully completed the recovery operation.
Authorities said Smith’s next of kin has been notified.
The circumstances that caused the pickup to leave the roadway were not immediately disclosed.
The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences to Smith’s family and friends and thanked the Search and Rescue Rope Team for its assistance.
Officials said no additional information will be released at this time.
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