Two Men Killed When Disabled Pickup Struck by Young Motorist near Prospect
Two men were tragically killed over the weekend when their disabled pickup truck was struck in Prospect.
The double-fatal collision -- which occurred on Friday at 10:04 p.m. -- is being investigated by the Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports 67-year-old Arthur Rowden and 51-year-old Gary Tate -- both of Prospect -- were standing outside of a 1987 Toyota pickup that was disabled with its lights off in the eastbound lane of Mill Creek Road when it was struck by a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by an 18-year-old Prospect resident.
Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon received the initial crash report, dispatching deputies and the Prospect Fire Department. Firefighters were the first on scene and they confirmed Rowden and Tate were deceased. Next of kin have been notified.
Detectives said the young driver is cooperating with the investigation. At this time, investigators do not believe speed or impairment were factors in the crash and no criminal charges have been filed.
The STAR Team is a multi-agency group of investigators comprised of personnel from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Central Point Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney's Office.
Posted on 8/4/25 6:12AM by Sam Marsh
