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60 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, June 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 24, 2004 Police check why unconscious man found lying in street By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune When a passing motorist found Jeffrey Unbankes’ unconscious body lying in the middle of Stewart Avenue at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, he was wearing one sandal, and did not have any broken bones other than a cracked skull. Medford police do not know if Unbankes, 36, of Medford, was a victim of a hit-and-run accident or a near-deadly assault, but his brother believes he has a good idea of what happened. "It looks like he got hit in the head and thrown from a vehicle," said Steven Unbankes. "There’s no way someone did a hit-and-run on him." While his brother spent Wednesday in an intensive-care unit at Providence Medical Center in critical condition, Medford police interviewed friends and acquaintances of Jeffrey Unbankes and canvassed the neighborhood where he was found near South Columbus Avenue. "We’re trying to determine what led to him being in the roadway," Lt. Mike Moran said. Advertisement Steven Unbankes said he helped police on Wednesday locate people who know his brother, who he said uses methamphetamine. He said it’s possible his brother was assaulted and left for dead because of a drug debt. "We found out he was back on the bag," Steven Unbankes said, adding that he hopes police don’t consider his brother "a dope fiend, and not a top priority." Steven Unbankes said his brother’s brain on Wednesday had swelled to a level to where it is possible he will suffer permanent damage. He said his brother’s injuries included a cracked skull and road rash, but no other broken bones. Jeffrey Unbankes has five children, with a sixth on the way. "They’re wondering what happened to their father, and I have nothing to tell them," Steven Unbankes said. "Whoever did this is guilty of attempted murder," he added. "My biggest concern is finding who tried to kill my brother." Anyone with information about Jeffrey Unbankes’ recent activity is asked to call Medford police detectives at 770-4783. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times