Rogue River Man Charged After Striking Horse and Rider, Fleeing Scene

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — A suspect, Jason Allan Baker, 40, of Rogue River, is in custody and facing charges arising from a hit-and-run accident on Sunday, January 26, at about 5.51 pm in a rural area near Rogue River involving his vehicle and a horse and rider.

Baker fled the scene without stopping, and the woman on the horse was hospitalized. The horse was unharmed.

The rider was attempting to regain control of her horse in the 700 block of Queens Branch Road when they were struck by a vehicle that fled at high speed. The woman sustained significant injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.

Several witnesses at the scene gave information to responding Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and Rogue River Police Department officers.

JCSO deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle in the area later that night but linked the reported stolen vehicle to the crash. Investigators determined that the vehicle had not been stolen-  the hit-and-run suspect had filed a false report.

Baker was arrested on Tuesday, January 28, at about 6 pm and faces several charges, including second-degree assault, felony hit-and-run, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence, aggravated driving while suspended, and initiating a false police report.

The horse rider is still in hospital in a stable condition, but Baker was lodged in the Jackson County Jail.