OSP seeking witnesses after fatal pedestrian crash on Highway 97 in Jefferson County
JEFFERSON CO, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Oregon State Police are requesting public assistance following a fatal crash that occurred on Jan. 10, 2026, between 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., on Highway 97 near milepost 101 in Jefferson County. The pedestrian who was struck and killed has been identified as Jared Elijah Cooper, 38, of Madras. Police are looking for any and all witnesses with information.
The crash involved a Ford Explorer driven by James Edwin Legore, 63, of Sandy, Utah. Preliminary investigations indicate that Legore's vehicle was merging into the northbound lanes when it collided with Cooper, who was on the shoulder of the roadway. Cooper was pronounced deceased at the scene, while Legore reported no injuries.
The crash occurred just before 11:43 a.m., prompting a response from the Oregon State Police and other local agencies. Investigators are seeking any additional witnesses or information about the vehicles prior to and at the time of the incident, particularly regarding a gray or aluminum Dodge Grand Caravan associated with Cooper at the crash scene.
The accident caused significant disruption, as Highway 97 was closed for approximately 5 hours during the investigation. Law enforcement is continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police's Northern Command Dispatch Center at 800-442-0776 or by dialing *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone, referencing case number SP26-010591. Investigators are hopeful that additional eyewitness accounts will help clarify the details surrounding the crash.
