In Loving Memory of Jarrod Edward Garwood Community Mourns After Pedestrian Pushing Go-Kart Is Fatally Struck on Highway 99
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded on Highway 99 Sunday evening, leaving the community grieving the sudden loss of 43-year-old Jarrod Edward Garwood, who was struck and killed while pushing a go-kart along the roadway near milepost 7. What began as a simple attempt to move a broken-down go-kart turned into a devastating crash that cut short a life far too soon.
According to the Oregon State Police, Bobbie Rae Stinson-Payne was driving a Hyundai Elantra when her vehicle collided with Garwood, who was assisting with the go-kart on the shoulder of the highway. Despite emergency responders arriving quickly and performing all possible life-saving efforts, Garwood was tragically pronounced deceased at the scene. His loss has left family, friends, and the surrounding community heartbroken as they struggle to comprehend the sudden and devastating event.
Another man, James Eric Johannes, a Grants Pass resident and occupant of the go-kart, suffered minor injuries in the crash. Though he survived, the emotional impact of witnessing the loss of a companion is immeasurable, and the community holds him in their thoughts as he recovers physically and emotionally.
Stinson-Payne and her passenger, Dillon Edward Gasser, were uninjured. After the crash, authorities conducted a thorough preliminary investigation, which led to Stinson-Payne’s arrest. She now faces multiple serious charges, including:
- Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII)
- Manslaughter in the First Degree
Her arrest underscores the gravity of the decisions that led to the fatal collision, and the legal process will unfold as investigators continue to gather critical evidence.
The crash forced the temporary closure of Highway 99 for approximately five hours, allowing Oregon State Police and supporting local agencies—including nearby fire departments and police units—to conduct a complete, methodical on-scene investigation. Their efforts aimed to ensure accuracy, preserve evidence, and piece together a clear understanding of the sequence of events.
As the investigation continues, many questions remain, but one fact stands tragically clear: a beloved member of the community, Jarrod Edward Garwood, is gone—taken in a moment that should never have happened. Friends and loved ones remember Jarrod as someone helpful, warm-hearted, and devoted to the people around him. His final actions—assisting with the go-kart—reflect the selfless character that those who knew him recall so vividly.
Tonight, Jackson County mourns. A life has been lost, another injured, and countless others forever changed by the consequences of impaired driving. Jarrod’s passing serves as an emotional reminder of how fragile life is and how quickly careless decisions behind the wheel can lead to irreversible heartbreak.
May Jarrod Edward Garwood be remembered with love, kindness, and honor. May those grieving find comfort in cherished memories, and may healing surround everyone affected by this tragic crash.