A Sunday evening collision on Highway 99 in Jackson County has led to the arrest of a Grants Pass woman on charges that include first degree manslaughter, driving under the influence of intoxicants and failure to perform the duties of a driver. The incident, which occurred shortly before 6:15 p.m. near milepost 7, resulted in the death of a Rogue River man and left another individual with minor injuries. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, and the investigation remains active as officials work to reconstruct the circumstances that led to the fatal impact.
According to information confirmed by the Oregon State Police, the crash involved a southbound Hyundai Elantra driven by twenty eight year old Bobbie Rae Stinson Payne of Grants Pass. Investigators reported that Stinson Payne struck forty three year old Jarrod Edward Garwood as he was pushing a go kart along the highway. Garwood was pronounced dead at the scene. A second man, forty one year old James Eric Johannes of Grants Pass, who was associated with the go kart, sustained minor injuries and was evaluated on site. Authorities have not released further details about why the men were on the roadway or the condition of the go kart at the time of the collision.
Following the impact, Stinson Payne fled the scene. Approximately one hour later she contacted law enforcement and reported her involvement. Troopers responded to her location and took her into custody. She was later booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges that include manslaughter, DUII, reckless driving, third degree assault and reckless endangering. Court records list her bail at $500,000 while the case proceeds through the early stages of prosecution. It has not yet been disclosed whether additional charges may be filed once toxicology reports and reconstruction analyses are complete.
The roadway remained closed for nearly five hours Sunday evening while Oregon State Police, the Rogue River Police Department, Rogue River Fire District 1, Grants Pass Fire Rescue and the Oregon Department of Transportation conducted their on scene work. Investigators documented vehicle positions, roadway conditions, lighting and debris fields as part of their evidence collection. The section of Highway 99 where the collision occurred serves both local and commuter traffic between Grants Pass and Jackson County. Authorities noted that visibility at the time of the incident was consistent with early nightfall, though they have not released preliminary conclusions regarding contributing factors.
The death of Garwood marks another serious traffic fatality in the region and follows a series of recent incidents that have drawn attention to impaired driving and pedestrian risks on rural highways. State police officials report that pedestrian related crashes tend to increase during darker winter months when both drivers and walkers face reduced visibility. In rural corridors like Highway 99, narrow shoulders and limited lighting can intensify those hazards.
As the investigation continues, Oregon State Police are asking any witnesses or individuals with dash camera footage from the area around the time of the incident to contact investigators. Further updates are expected once the agency completes its reconstruction findings and forwards the case to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for review.