On Saturday, June 2, 2018, at approximately 1:50 a.m., Oregon State Police Troopers, and emergency personnel were responding to a reported disturbance in the area of Hwy 199 and Patton Bar Road in Cave Junction. While responding to the incident Troopers were informed a vehicle had possibly struck an individual related to the disturbance.
Preliminary investigation revealed two subjects were arguing in a southbound vehicle, when the passenger, Corey Fletcher age 31 from Cave Junction, lept from the vehicle while it was still in motion. The driver, Andrea Ayala age 23 from Cave Junction, stopped the vehicle and went to a nearby residence to request emergency assistance. When Ayala returned to the original scene Fletcher was alert and she began assisting him back to their vehicle. An unknown vehicle traveling north on the highway struck both the driver and passenger. The driver of the vehicle stopped momentarily, then fled northbound on Highway 199 toward Cave Junction. Fletcher suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Ayala was transported to the hospital with injuries.
Highway 199 was closed for approximately 5 hours following the incident. OSP was assisted on scene by Illinois Valley Fire and ODOT.
The Oregon State Police is seeking the public’s assistance with any information regarding this incident. If you witnessed this incident or have any information which may help the investigation, please contact OSP Southern Command Center at 541-474-3174.