Police Investigate Death on Interstate 5 North of Yoncalla

Police release the name of the deceased; 26-year old Jesse Golden was from Eugene.

Salem-News.com

(ROSEBURG, Ore.) - Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers and the Douglas County Medical Examiner are continuing the investigation into the death of 26-year old Jesse Golden of Eugene, found deceased on the northbound shoulder of Interstate 5 about two miles north of Yoncalla underneath the Cox Road overpass.

There is no evidence at this time that Mr. Golden was struck by another vehicle, but his death may be associated with a fall or jump from the Cox Road overpass. According to OSP Trooper Joseph Feland, preliminary information indicates on September 6, 2010 at approximately 3:05 a.m. a commercial truck driver traveling northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 156 saw the deceased man lying on the right northbound shoulder near a green 1994 Honda Accord.

Unable to get cell phone service to contact police, the truck driver flagged down another motorist ten minutes later at which time they were able to call 9-1-1. OSP troopers from the Roseburg Area Command office and North Douglas Fire Department personnel responded. One lane was blocked for about three hours with ODOT's help while troopers, assisted by the Douglas County Medical Examiner, investigated. Jesse Golden's next of kin were notified and the medical examiner is planning an autopsy to help confirm the manner and cause of death. Anyone who may information regarding where Jesse Golden was traveling from or who was traveling northbound on Interstate 5 in the area prior to 3:00 a.m. who saw the green 1994 Honda Accord stopped on right northbound shoulder near the Cox Road overpass is asked to call the OSP Southern Command Center dispatch at (541) 776-6111.

Source: Oregon State Police