On Oct. 8, 2022, at 6:37 p.m., the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a motorcycle crash at the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Thompson Creek Road. Prior to law enforcement arrival, the rider, Jacob Irison McNeil, 54, was transported by American Medical Response to Three Rivers Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
Witnesses at the scene stated McNeil and a second motorcycle were traveling northbound on Thompson Creek Road at a high rate of speed when McNeil failed to negotiate the turn onto Lakeshore Drive from Thompson Creek Road. McNeil was thrown from his 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle when it left the roadway and struck a fence. It is unknown if he was wearing a helmet. The second motorcycle left the scene prior to law enforcement arrival and has not been identified.
Next of kin has been notified.
There is no further information at this time.
On Friday, Oct. 9, around 3 a.m., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single vehicle crash in the 2200 block of Laurel Road, approximately 2 miles east of Cave Junction.
Preliminary investigation revealed a silver Ford Freestar van, operated by Jason Myers, 23, of Grants Pass, left the roadway and struck a tree. The cause of the vehicle leaving the roadway is unknown.
Myers was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Laurel Road was closed for approximately 2 hours while Troopers investigated.
The oldest business in the Illinois Valley. Independently published since 1937.