Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide next to Interstate 5 in the area of Old Stage Road and Galls Creek Road in rural Gold Hill.
The suspect has been taken into custody, and there is no danger to the public. The victim is Steven Jason Worthington, 47, of Shady Cove. Next-of-kin have been notified.
Dispatch received multiple calls for an injured person attempting to flag down cars on Southbound I-5 near mile post 42 on Thursday, at 8:01 a.m. JCSO deputies and Fire District 1 Rogue River paramedics arrived on scene and attempted life saving measures but the victim was pronounced deceased at 8:36 AM.
Oregon State Police, Rogue River Police Department, and the Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit responded to assist. Multiple law enforcement units searched the area attempting to locate the suspect and an unknown involved vehicle.
At 10 a.m., dispatch received a call for a suspicious person in the 1000 block of Galls Creek Road. JCSO detectives and deputies responded and determined the suspicious person to be the suspect in the homicide.
The suspect, Michael Lloyd Balestra Jr., 34, of Gold Hill, is charged with Second Degree Murder, First Degree Robbery and Theft, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Balestra was lodged in the Jackson County Jail.
