Medford Cyclist Hit And Run Accused Pleads Not Guilty- Bail Set At $1 Million

MEDFORD, Ore. — A Woman charged with manslaughter after a fatal hit-and-run with a cyclist in Medford, 36-year-old Cassie Jane Cavagnaro, pleaded not guilty to the charges put to her yesterday.

Medford Cyclist Hit And Run Trial

Cavagnaro, who has an extensive criminal history,  allegedly struck 41-year-old Jimilee ‘Jason’ Thomas, a former Bend chef, while driving a vehicle along South Pacific Highway on October 11, resulting in the death of Thomas.

Cavagnaro fled the scene but was later arrested in a parking lot and arrested on charges of Driving Under The Influence of Inhalants (DUII).

With 22 prior charges, Cavagnaro has an extensive history with law enforcement, including counts of second-degree child neglect (4),  first-degree burglary (2), and several assault charges.

At the arraignment hearing yesterday before Judge Kelly Ravassipour at the Jackson County Circuit Court, Cavanagnaro pleaded not guilty to charges that include DUII, manslaughter, and reckless endangerment.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, conditional bail was set at $1 million. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 24 at 4 p.m.