Fatal Crash – Highway 35 – Hood River County - 09/14/26

Fatal Crash – Highway 30 – Clatsop County - 09/14/26

Fatal Crash – Highway 101 – Clatsop County - 09/14/26

OSP Seeking Additional Information In Klamath County Homicide Case - 09/14/26

KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore.  (14 Sept. 2026) – On Saturday, September 12, 2026, at approximately 5:50 p.m., Klamath County 911 received a call reporting an individual who had been shot in their vehicle on Whitetail Lane in Bonanza in Klamath County.

Upon responding to the scene, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office deputies located a deceased male, identified as Timothy Carr (52) of Bonanza. The Klamath County Major Crime Team was activated for the homicide investigation, with the Oregon State Police assigned as the lead investigating agency.

Following the initial investigation, Thomas Sylvester (53), also of Bonanza, was arrested and lodged in the Klamath County Jail on charges of Second-Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Abuse of a Corpse, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

The Klamath County Major Crime Team is comprised of the Oregon State Police, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, Klamath County Parole and Probation, and the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Oregon State Police at (541) 664-4600 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-299497.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional information is available for release at this time.

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About the Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of nearly 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

OSP Asking For Tips In Malheur County Mule Deer Unlawful Take Investigation (Photo) - 09/14/26

MALHEAUR COUNTY, Ore. (14 September 2026) – The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help to identify the person(s) responsible for the unlawful shooting and waste of a mule deer buck near the Owyhee Avenue and Twilight Drive area near Nyssa in Malheur County.

On Thursday, September 10, 2026, OSP’s Fish and Wildlife Division responded to a report of a deceased mule deer buck that appeared to have been shot and left to waste with only its head removed. Troopers located the buck on private land approximately 100 yards from Twilight Drive in a hay field.

Anyone with information regarding the unlawful take of this mule deer buck is asked to call the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-297246.       

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.  

Preference Point Rewards

5 Points: Bighorn Sheep

5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points: Moose

5 Points: Wolf

4 Points: Elk

4 Points: Deer

4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope

4 Points: Bear

4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

Cash Rewards

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:

$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose

$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope

$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$400 Game Fish & Shellfish
$400 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

$300 Habitat destruction

$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags

$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)

$200 Game Birds or Furbearers

$200 Spotlighting

Rewards for Game Fish & Shellfish and Snagging/Attempting to Snag are sponsored, in part, by Northwest Steelheaders Association and Coastal Conservation Association.

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:

$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey

$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox

$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
$10,000 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and $11,500 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and north of Highway 20

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:

$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677)

TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information visit the Oregon State Police Turn-in-Poachers (TIP) web page.

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About the Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

Fatal Crash – Highway 199 – Josephine County - 09/14/26

Fatal Crash – Highway 244 – Union County - 09/11/26

UNION COUNTY, Ore. (11 Sept. 2026) – On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at approximately 1:04 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Highway 244 near milepost 37 in Union County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a gray BMW motorcycle operated by Marvin Joseph Mason, 84, of Kennewick, Washington, was traveling on Highway 244 near La Grande when it left the roadway for an unknown reason and crashed near the bank of the Grande Ronde River. Mason had been riding with another motorcyclist, Dean Allen Moore, 73, of Richland, Washington, who was operating a silver BMW motorcycle. At one point, Moore noticed Mason was no longer behind him, turned around to search, and eventually located Mason and the crashed motorcycle.

The operator of the gray BMW (Mason) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the silver BMW (Moore) was reportedly not injured.

The highway not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.  
 

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Multi-Agency Operation Dismantles Major Illegal Marijuana Network In Clackamas And Marion Counties (Photo) - 09/11/26

Salem, OR (11 Sept. 2026) – A three‑day collaborative drug enforcement operation culminated in the seizure of more than 110,000 illegal marijuana plants and over 81,000 pounds of bulk marijuana with an estimated value of $20 million.

Investigators from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Interagency Task Force, supported by the Clackamas County Public Safety Levy, and the Oregon State Police Drug Enforcement Section completed a three‑day operation to disrupt and dismantle a suspected drug trafficking organization responsible for several illegal marijuana grows in Clackamas and Marion counties.

In response to community complaints, the Clackamas County task force and OSP launched separate investigations that led detectives to uncover several additional illegal marijuana grows. Over the course of the investigations, detectives determined they were investigating the same suspects. They joined forces, ultimately serving search warrants at six locations across Clackamas and Marion counties.

During the service of search warrants, officers located and destroyed 110,437 illegal marijuana plants and 81,460 pounds of bulk marijuana. In addition, 86 firearms and $11,500 in U.S. currency were seized. Jaimee Virrueta‑Gomez, 35, from Gerber, California, was arrested on charges of Unlawful Manufacture of a Marijuana Item and Unlawful Possession of a Marijuana Item. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges will be referred to both the Marion and Clackamas County District Attorney’s Offices.

Responding officers found individuals living and working in dangerous conditions without adequate shelter, running water, plumbing, or electricity. Investigators are working to determine whether the workers came to the site through force, fraud, or coercion.

Law enforcement agencies requested on‑scene crisis response and victim support at multiple locations in both counties. Service providers included Safety Compass, the Anti‑Trafficking Project (AT:Project), a program of J Bar J, and the Cannabis Workers Resilience Partnership.

Victim advocates and service providers offered crisis intervention, safety planning, basic necessities such as food and water, emergency transportation to safety, and connections to emergency shelter and housing. Legal services referrals were also available. Safety Compass provided confidential advocacy at every location.

During this multi‑day operation, 55 workers were offered services and continued follow‑up support.

Several county and state agencies assisted in the investigation of environmental crimes related to water use, pesticide and fertilizer runoff, and unlawful solid waste disposal.

Additional assisting agencies included the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office, Marion County District Attorney’s Office, the Westside Interagency Narcotics (WIN) team, the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team, the Douglas County Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT), the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team (MADGE), Port of Portland Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Interagency Task Force and the OSP Domestic Highway Enforcement team are multi‑jurisdictional narcotics task forces that identify, disrupt, and dismantle local, multi‑state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence‑driven, multi‑agency, prosecutor‑supported approach.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Interagency Task Force includes members from the Canby Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. The task force is supported by the Clackamas County Public Safety Levy.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Interagency Task Force and OSP’s Drug Enforcement Section are supported by the Oregon‑Idaho High‑Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The Oregon‑Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi‑agency drug enforcement initiatives throughout the state.

Safety Compass, the Cannabis Workers Resilience Partnership, and the Anti‑Trafficking Project are funded in part by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Grant Program.

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Fatal Crash – Highway 97 – Klamath County - 09/08/26

KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. (8 September 2026) – On Saturday, September 5, 2026, at approximately 8:50 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 97 near milepost 200 in Klamath County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a black Honda two-door sedan, operated Elias Keyin Sorenson (21) of Eugene, was traveling northbound on Highway 97 when, for unknown reasons, it crossed into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a white Volvo semi-truck hauling a 53-foot trailer. The Volvo was operated by Jose Luis Sotelo-Monge (64) of Tulare, CA.

The operator of the Honda (Sorenson) was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The operator of the Volvo (Sotelo-Monge) sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. 

Highway 97 was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by Chemult Rural Fire Protection District, Crescent Fire District, and Oregon Department of Transportation.     

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Fatal Crash – Highway 78 – Harney County - 09/08/26

HARNEY COUNTY, Ore. (8 September 2026) – On Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 78 near milepost 36 in Harney County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a yellow Kawasaki Teryx (UTV), operated by Rae Jean Marie Neumann (71) of Burns, was traveling southbound along the shoulder when it attempted to cut across the highway to enter a driveway. A southbound silver Mercedes E350, operated by Timothy John Dudzik (86) of Carefree, Arizona, was unable to avoid the UTV and struck it on the driver’s side before leaving the roadway on the northbound shoulder. The operator of the UTV was thrown from the vehicle.

The operator of the UTV (Neumann) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Mercedes (Dudzik) was reportedly not injured.

The highway was impacted for approximately 30 minutes during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, Burns Police Department, and Harney District Hospital Emergency Medical Services.

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

UPDATE: Fatal Crash – Highway 38 – Douglas County - 09/04/26

UPDATE: Corrected age for Gail Elizabeth Smith is 74. 

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. (3 September 2026) – On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 38 near milepost 27 in Douglas County. 

The preliminary investigation indicated a blue Honda Ridgeline pickup, operated by Gail Elizabeth Smith (74) of Coburg, was traveling eastbound on Highway 38 when, for unknown reasons, it crossed the center line and entered the westbound lanes. The Honda collided head-on with a westbound yellow Douglas County Public Works International dump truck, operated by Cody James Miller (25) of Winchester Bay.

The operator of the Honda (Smith) was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The operator of the International (Miller) was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Highway 38 was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by Elkton Fire Rural Protection District, North Douglas County Fire & EMS, Scottsburg Rural Fire District, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.    

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

UPDATE: **Name Correction** Fatal Crash – Highway 26 – Clatsop County - 09/03/26

Fatal Crash – Highway 126W – Lane County - 09/03/26

LANE COUNTY, Ore. (3 September 2026) – On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash on Highway 126W near milepost 48 in Lane County. 

The preliminary investigation indicated a silver Toyota Tacoma pickup, operated by Christian Michael McCawley (24) of Elmira, was traveling westbound on Highway 126W when it struck a pedestrian, later identified as Robert Bryan Richardson (52) of Veneta, who was walking westbound in the westbound lane of travel. This portion of roadway is unlit, and Richardson was wearing dark-colored clothing.

The pedestrian (Richardson) was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The driver of the Toyota (McCawley) was not injured. 

Highway 126W was impacted for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by Lane Fire Authority, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.       
 

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Fatal Crash – Highway 241 – Coos County - 09/03/26

COOS COUNTY, Ore. (3 September 2026) – On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at approximately 9:05 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision on Highway 241 near Chamberlain Road in Coos County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Forest River motorhome, operated by Mary Geen Murphy (76) of Coos Bay, was traveling northbound on Highway 241 when it struck a pedestrian, identified as Robert Andrew Gallagher (61) of Coos Bay, who was in the northbound lane of travel. The area is unlit and witness statements indicated Gallagher was crossing the roadway without reflective clothing or any lighting. 

The pedestrian (Gallagher) was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The operator of the motorhome (Murphy) was not injured. 

Highway 241 was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by Coos Bay Fire & Rescue, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.     
 

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

AMBER Alert Canceled - Josephine County - 08/31/26

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. (31 August 2026) - On Monday, August 31, 2006, at 11:19 a.m., Oregon State Police issued an AMBER Alert on behalf of the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office on a report of an 8-month-old infant abducted by a non-custodial parent from a residence in 32000 block of Redwood Highway in Josephine County. The infant was abducted following a domestic violence incident at the location and the suspect was known to be armed.

At 11:27 a.m., Oregon State Police was notified by Josephine County that a suspect and infant had been located. The suspect was taken into custody, and the child was safely recovered unharmed.

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigating agency and the appropriate contact for additional information about the incident.

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About AMBER Alert Activations

Oregon’s AMBER Alert program is administered by the Oregon State Police. It is a statewide program used to help locate abducted children. OSP uses FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to send both Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages in the event of an AMBER Alert. Alerts are transmitted simultaneously to all mobile devices in the affected area. AMBER Alerts are issued when specific activation criteria is met and includes a reasonable belief that an abduction has occurred; the child is aged 17 years or younger; law enforcement believe the child is in imminent danger; and there is enough information to assist in the recovery of the child.

Fatal Crash – Highway 20 – Lincoln County - 08/28/26

Fatal Crash – Interstate 5 – Douglas County - 08/28/26

Oregon State Police Investigating Vandalism At Multiple Oregon State Parks - 08/25/26

Fatal Crash – Highway 197 – Wasco County - 08/25/26

Fatal Crash – Highway 38 – Douglas County - 08/25/26

Fatal Crash – Interstate 84 – Union County - 08/25/26

Fatal Crash – Interstate 5 – Douglas County - 08/19/26

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. (19 August 2026) – On Monday, August 17, 2026, at approximately 11:47 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 5 northbound near milepost 138. 

The preliminary investigation indicated a silver Kia Rondo, operated by Carl Leslie Earhart (80) of Independence, was traveling northbound on Interstate 5 when it left the roadway for unknown reasons.  The vehicle struck a group of trees, rolled over, and caught fire. 

The operator of the Kia (Earhart) was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Sutherlin Police Department, Douglas County Fire District No. 2, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.   
 

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Fatal Crash – Highway 30 – Clatsop County - 08/19/26

CLATSOP COUNTY, Ore. (19 AUGUST 2026) – On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 12:40 p.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 30 near milepost 80 in Clatsop County approximately 16 miles east of Astoria. 

The preliminary investigation indicated that a gray Ford F-350 pickup, operated by Roger Dale McGilvey (73) of Ocean Park, Washington, was eastbound on Highway 30 when it rear-ended a tan Chevrolet Malibu sedan operated by Benny Roy Parker (86) of Astoria, which was stopped and waiting to turn onto Valley Creek Lane from Highway 30. The Malibu was pushed into the westbound lane, where it was struck by a westbound silver Honda Accord operated by Karl Edward Groenke (43) of Ocean Park, Washington.  

The operator of the Chevrolet (Parker) was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The operator of the Ford (McGilvey) and the operator of the Honda (Groenke) sustained serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, Knappa Fire Department, Astoria Fire Department, Medix Ambulance, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.      

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.