Teen Dies in North Foothill Road Crash (Photo)

Update 4/16/18 at 8:20 a.m.: 

Deputies identified the driver in Sunday's fatal crash as Robert Bernard Ernst V, 17, of the 1500-block of Angel Crest Road, Medford.  Ernst was a student at North Medford High School.  The school district has grief counselors on hand today to respond to students' needs. 

Original release, 4/15/18 at 7:30 p.m.: 

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 17-year-old Medford boy on Sunday afternoon.  Deputies say excessive speed contributed to the crash.

Deputies responded to the 4900-block of North Foothill Road on April 15, 2018, at 2:15 p.m.  The driver was the only person in the vehicle, a blue Toyota Camry.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  

Witnesses described seeing the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on North Foothill Road between Corey Road and East Vilas Road.  The vehicle drifted into the oncoming lane, and then veered back across the southbound lane and off the roadway.  The vehicle struck a tree, rolled over, and came to rest on its top at the edge of an orchard. 

An investigator with the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the location.  The driver’s next of kin have been notified of his death.  His identity will not be released at this time to allow time for additional family members to be notified.

Case #18-7376