JACKSON COUNTY, OR – The Oregon State Police (OSP) report that on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 2:19 p.m., OSP responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 99 at Scenic Avenue near Central Point.
The preliminary investigation indicated a silver Nissan Rogue, operated by Marjett Charlem Schille (76) of Central Point, was traveling northbound on Hwy. 99 when it attempted to make a left turn on Scenic Avenue against a flashing yellow light. A tan Chevrolet C25, operated by Michael Anthony Culmone (21) of Gold Hill, was entering the intersection heading southbound on Hwy. 99 on a green light when the vehicles struck nearly head-on, leaving the roadway and crashing into a pedestrian pole.
The operator of the Nissan (Schille) and a passenger, Robert Michael Lewis (75) of Central Point, were transported by ambulance to an area hospital. The passenger (Lewis) sustained life-threatening injuries and died at the hospital on Sept. 2, 2024. The operator (Schille) sustained serious injuries.
The operator of the Chevrolet (Culmone) was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Nissan operator was cited for failing to obey a traffic control device.
Oregon State Police was assisted by Jackson County Fire District 3 and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.
