A 33-year-old man was killed Tuesday night when his pickup left the roadway and rolled several times on Highway 238 in Josephine County, the kind of violent wreck that locals on the winding route have sadly seen before.
What officials say
Oregon State Police identified the driver as 33-year-old Jacob Bailey. Investigators say he was heading west in a Ford F-150 just after 9:15 p.m. near milepost 12 when he failed to negotiate a curve, veered off the highway and rolled multiple times. Emergency crews pronounced him dead at the scene, according to KOIN, which cited Oregon State Police.
Highway 238's history
Highway 238, better known to locals as Williams Highway, has a reputation for trouble. In recent years, it has seen other serious crashes, including a fatal wreck in November that required an extended on-scene investigation. Local reporting of past Oregon State Police notices points to the road’s twisting curves as a factor in multiple crashes. ClayCoNews covered one prior fatal incident along the same route.
Investigation and safety reminders
Troopers are still working the case and have not yet released any findings on potential contributing factors such as speed or impairment. Officials are asking anyone who may have seen the crash or the pickup beforehand to contact Oregon State Police. More information is expected as the investigation moves forward, according to KOIN.
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