December 27, 2019 4:00 a.m.
A Redmond man died and three people were injured after their vehicle went over an embankment in the Diamond Lake area on Wednesday evening.
Sergeant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said just after 8:10 p.m. DCSO received information from Jackson County dispatch of an injury crash near the Douglas/Jackson county line. Resources from both counties were dispatched.
O’Dell said the crash was determined to have occurred on Forest Service Road 6530 on the 100 spur. Emergency crews found an SUV approximately 150 feet over an embankment into a ravine. Following the crash, a large boulder weighing approximately three tons, struck the vehicle.
The driver, 23-year old Cody Bean was declared deceased at the scene. Passengers 22-year old Lauren Bean and 24-year old Kody Gray, both of Central Point, and 48-year old Lisa Preston of Medford, all sustained injuries and were transported to hospitals in Medford for treatment.
O’Dell said the crash is still under investigation, but alcohol and speed appear to be contributing factors.