Driver Killed, Passenger Seriously Injured After Car Strikes Elk on Highway 234

Public Safety
Written By Brian Gailey

The early-morning crash happened near Antioch Road outside Eagle Point.

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — A Grants Pass man was killed and his passenger seriously injured after their car struck an elk and crashed into a tree on Highway 234 early Saturday morning.

Oregon State Police responded to the crash near Antioch Road outside Eagle Point at approximately 4:42 a.m. August 1.

 
 

A preliminary investigation found that a white Kia Spectra driven by 51-year-old Hilver Randolfo Perez Interiano was traveling east when it struck a large cow elk standing in the roadway.

The car continued east after the collision, left the roadway, and struck a tree along the westbound shoulder.

Perez Interiano was pronounced dead at the scene.

 
 

His passenger, 42-year-old Eyda Ortiz Perez of Grants Pass, was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries.

Highway 234 was closed for approximately four hours while investigators examined the scene.

Oregon State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Mercy Flights, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Cover image: File photo, Oregon State Police.

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Brian Gailey

Brian Gailey is a journalist, entrepreneur, and communications professional with more than 15 years of experience covering local news, public policy, and complex community issues across Southern Oregon and Northern California. His reporting has focused on accountability, transparency, and the real-world impacts of decisions made at the local and regional level.

Beyond journalism, Gailey brings a background in business strategy, marketing, and media consulting. He is the founder and publisher of Jefferson Daily News, where he combines editorial experience with a modern, digital-first approach to local news—prioritizing accuracy, balance, and accessibility in an evolving media landscape.

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