UPS driver suspected in I-5 shootings held on $1M bail

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Roseburg man suspected of shooting cars along Interstate 5 in Oregon from his UPS tractor-trailer rig remained in jail Tuesday on $1 million bail.

Kenneth Ayers, 49, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted murder, assault and unlawful use of a weapon that were filed in Jackson County after his arrest last week, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.

He was arrested 60 miles from where a woman was shot in her car between Gold Hill and Central Point.

A grand jury is expected to return an indictment this week, said Virginia Greer, deputy district attorney for Jackson County.

State police said investigators believe Ayers shot at least seven vehicles on I-5 while driving his UPS truck -- in Josephine County on May 12, June 22 and July 9; Jackson County on June 2 and last Wednesday; and Douglas County on June 15 and July 7.

The charges Ayers faces so far are related to one of the interstate shootings in Jackson County -- the one last Wednesday -- and a shooting July 9 in Jackson County that injured a man. The same .45-caliber gun was used in both shootings, police said.

State police and prosecutors have declined to comment on a possible motive.

Police found a gun consistent with the gun used in the shootings, Fox said.

The shootings began shortly after Ayers’ route changed and sent him from Roseburg south on I-5 and also along Oregon 140 and Oregon 62, police said. Before that, Ayers traveled north from Roseburg toward Portland.

UPS declined to comment Tuesday on the investigation, Ayers’ route change or if he is still employed by the company.

Ayers was appointed a public defender. A message left at a number listed for the attorney Tuesday by the newspaper wasn’t immediately returned.