Executive Summary
- The fatal collision occurred on Jan. 10, 2026, on Highway 97 near milepost 101 in Jefferson County.
- The victim has been identified as 38-year-old Jared Elijah Cooper of Madras.
- Investigators are seeking witnesses regarding a gray or aluminum Dodge Grand Caravan associated with the victim.
- The highway was closed for five hours for accident reconstruction and investigation.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) are requesting public assistance to aid an ongoing investigation into a fatal vehicle-pedestrian collision that occurred on Highway 97 in Jefferson County. The incident, which resulted in the death of a Madras resident, took place on January 10, 2026, prompting a renewed call for eyewitness accounts to clarify the sequence of events.
According to OSP reports, the crash occurred at approximately 11:43 a.m. near milepost 101. Investigators determined that a Ford Explorer driven by 63-year-old James Edwin Legore of Sandy, Utah, was merging into the northbound lanes when it collided with a pedestrian on the roadway’s shoulder. The pedestrian, identified as 38-year-old Jared Elijah Cooper, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities confirmed that Legore did not report any injuries following the collision.
Law enforcement officials are specifically focusing their inquiries on the movements of a gray or aluminum Dodge Grand Caravan associated with Cooper at the crash site. OSP is urging anyone who observed this vehicle or the Ford Explorer prior to or during the incident to come forward. The investigation required the closure of Highway 97 for approximately five hours to allow emergency response teams and crash reconstruction experts to process the scene.
Investigative Outlook
The specific appeal for information regarding the parked Dodge Grand Caravan indicates that investigators are prioritizing the establishment of a precise timeline leading up to the fatality. By reconstructing the movements of the victim and the positioning of his vehicle, authorities aim to determine the causal factors of the incident. Residents or travelers with relevant information are encouraged to contact the OSP Northern Command Dispatch Center at 800-442-0776 or dial *OSP (*677) from a mobile device, referencing case number SP26-010591.
