08/20/2026
39-Year-Old White City Man Dies During Drug DUII Arrest; Cause of Death Under Investigation
JCSO Case 26-4289
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A 39-year-old White City man died Tuesday night after becoming unresponsive during a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) arrest. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. JCSO will not release the man’s name out of respect for his family’s privacy during this difficult time.
On Tuesday, August 18, at 9:17 p.m., Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon ECSO 911 Dispatch received a 911 call from a man who was speaking incoherently and appeared to be confused. During the call, he reported that someone may have drugged him. JCSO deputies responded to the area of Table Rock Road and Orr Drive, where they found the man in the roadway obstructing traffic and exhibiting signs of intoxication. During the investigation, deputies learned the man had driven to the location and took him into custody for a controlled substance DUII at 9:44 p.m.
While deputies were walking the man to a patrol vehicle, he began physically resisting. Deputies lowered him to the ground to maintain control and called for additional units. Deputies also requested medical personnel to stage nearby. The man then appeared to lose consciousness. Deputies placed him in the recovery position and requested medical personnel respond to the scene.
Moments later, the man regained consciousness and began talking and physically resisting deputies again. Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers arrived to assist. The man remained in the recovery position until Mercy Flights medics arrived at 9:51 p.m.
After medics evaluated him on the ground, the man was moved to a gurney at 9:58 p.m. Shortly afterward, he became unresponsive. Paramedics immediately began life-saving measures, which continued until 10:42 p.m. Afterward, a search of the man’s belongings revealed a baggie containing a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for co***ne.
The Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) is investigating the incident. Medford Police Department (MPD) is the lead investigating agency. It is standard protocol for an outside law enforcement agency to investigate an in-custody death. MADIU consists of detectives from JCSO, OSP, MPD, Central Point Police Department, Ashland Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney's (DA) Office.
An autopsy and toxicology report have been requested to help determine the cause and manner of death. No additional information is available at this time. Further information regarding the investigation will be released by the DA’s Office.
