Former Congressman won't be charged in pedestrian death - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » NEWS NOW   Medford council wants to add 4,400 acres to urban growth boundary       ...       Jackson County library director receives Mover and Shaker Award       ...       Robbery reported at Subway on Crater Lake Avenue       ...       Medford council wants to add 4,400 acres to urban growth boundary       ...       Jackson County library director receives Mover and Shaker Award       ...       Robbery reported at Subway on Crater Lake Avenue       ...           Former Congressman won't be charged in pedestrian death Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted Mar. 14, 2016 at 1:41 PM Updated Mar 14, 2016 at 5:10 PM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted Mar. 14, 2016 at 1:41 PM Updated Mar 14, 2016 at 5:10 PM »  Social News Former U.S. Rep. Bob Smith will not face criminal charges for driving a car that struck and killed a 58-year-old pedestrian who was running through the crosswalk of a southwest Medford street, said prosecutors, who decided there was insufficient evidence to prove any wrongdoing. After reviewing Medford Police Department reports, the Jackson County District Attorney's Office announced its decision involving the Feb. 8 death of pedestrian Jerry Mark Hughes, who was struck and killed at a Kings Highway intersection in what prosecutors called "a terribly unfortunate accident." "That is exactly what it is," Deputy District Attorney Nick Geil said. Smith, 84, was driving his 2015 Acura north on Kings Highway and turned west onto Stewart Avenue at 8:38 a.m. as Hughes was apparently running through the intersection en route to a nearby convenience store, Geil said. Smith told investigators that he had a green light, but it was unclear whether the traffic light's turn arrow was green when he made the turn, prosecutors concluded. Witnesses told police that Smith was not speeding, and reports show he was not under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substances at the time of the crash, the district attorney's report states. Prosecutors said it was unclear from roadway evidence and witness statements whether Smith or Hughes had the right of way at the time of the collision. Geil said even if it was established that Hughes had the right of way at the time of the collision, it would not have led to criminal charges. "A single violation usually isn't enough to bring something into a criminal realm," Geil said. Geil said both the Smith and Hughes families were notified of the findings prior to Monday's announcement. Smith, of Medford, is a former state legislator and U.S. congressman who served 12 years in the Oregon House, followed by 10 years in the Oregon Senate before serving 14 years as U.S. representative for the 2nd Congressional District, which covers Medford and Eastern Oregon. He retired from Congress in 1994. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted Mar. 14, 2016 at 1:41 PM Updated Mar 14, 2016 at 5:10 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501