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Ashland High School Grieves After Crash Claims Two Students and Injures Three More News By Diane Megaw On Feb 23, 2026 Ashland School District administration building | Credit: Finetooth ASHLAND, Ore. — Late Saturday night, the teenage driver of an Audi 6 was killed after hitting a tree in the 1350 block of East Nevada Street in rural Ashland. The four other 17-year-old occupants were taken to the hospital, where a second teenager died. On Sunday, February 22, at approximately 12:44 a.m., Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responding to the crash found the Audi A6- occupied by five 17-year-old students from Ashland High School- that had struck a tree. Tidings Timeline Feb 22 2026 12:44 a.m. : Deputies respond to crash in 1350 block East Nevada Street Feb 22 : Driver pronounced dead at scene / four teens extricated and flown to hospital Feb 22 : One teen dies at hospital / three remain hospitalized in stable condition Feb 22 : STAR Team begins investigation / district coordinates counseling supports Jackson County Fire District 5 and Ashland Fire & Rescue personnel extracted the occupants, but, sadly, the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. Mercy Flights took the four remaining occupants to a local hospital with critical injuries, where one was pronounced deceased. The other three are still receiving care at the hospital but are in stable condition. The families of those involved have been informed, but the names of the students are being withheld out of respect for their privacy. Tidings Context Names of minors in fatal crashes are often withheld until families are notified, and sometimes longer to protect juvenile privacy while investigators complete reports. According to the preliminary investigation, the car was traveling eastbound on East Nevada Street at a high rate of speed before the driver lost control on a 90-degree curve. As a result, the car left the roadway and struck a tree. There was catastrophic damage to the vehicle. Tidings Context Jackson County’s STAR Team is a multiagency unit that investigates fatal and serious injury crashes, documents evidence, and shares findings with the District Attorney for review. The Ashland Police Department (APD) responded to assist with the investigation, and the Ashland School District coordinated grief counseling resources for students and staff. Ashland School District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Hattrick confirmed the District will provide counseling support through local and regional support teams for as long as necessary. He said, “We ask our community to hold these families close in your thoughts and to honor their privacy as they navigate this profound loss.” Ashland High School Principal Francisco Atanes confirmed that students were valued members of the school community and said, “Our hearts are shattered by this unimaginable loss.” Ashland Jackson County Southern Oregon Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email