Medford Woman Accused of Fatal DUI Hit-and-Run Seeks Pretrial Delay to Review Expert Evidence

MEDFORD, Ore. — The pretrial conference of a Medford woman, 36-year-old Cassie Jane Cavagnaro, was moved to August 18 after her defense team brought a motion.

She is accused of striking and killing biker 41-year-old Jason Thomas, a former Bend chef, on October 11 last year while under the influence.

Cavagnaro’s defense counsel had previously filed a motion to continue the pretrial conference on April 28.

The current motion to delay the pretrial was on the grounds that her defense counsel is in the process of working with multiple experts and is still receiving discovery and records to review.

The motion says a new Deputy District Attorney has been assigned to this case and will also need time to review the matter. Her defense counsel said the motion was not intended to delay the trial.

Cavagnaro, who has an extensive criminal history, pleaded not guilty to charges related to a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of Thomas. She is facing charges that include:

• First-degree manslaughter,
• Second-degree manslaughter,
• Failure to perform duties of driver to injured persons,
• Failure to perform duties of driver-property damage,
• 2 Counts of recklessly endangering another person,
• Driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII),
• Reckless driving
• Second-degree criminal mischief.