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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 October days break heat records in Medford ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... October days break heat records in Medford ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... GRANTS PASS Man hits bull elk at 68 mph on I-5 Comment By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted May. 5, 2015 at 4:33 PM By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted May. 5, 2015 at 4:33 PM » Social News MERLIN — Don Black of Grants Pass got up early Sunday for a three-hour drive to Lakeside on the Oregon Coast. But the trip ended around 5:30 a.m. when, just past the Manzanita Rest Area on Interstate 5 near Merlin, an 800-pound bull elk raced across the southbound lanes, jumped up an embankment next to the northbound lanes and smashed into Black's 2001 Honda Accord. "It was in the air when I took it square on," Black said. "There was absolutely nothing I could do. He was above my line of vision when he leapt. There was no warning at all, until we hit at 68 mph." Black said the elk smashed out the windshield, wrapped over both door posts and bent the steering wheel. "If it wasn't for the steering wheel I wouldn't have been able to get him off of me," Black said. "The mass of his body went over the dashboard." An Oregon State Police trooper, Stephanie Bigman, and a crew from Rural/Metro Fire Department responded. Black had cuts and bruises but decided against a trip to the hospital. The elk died. Those at the scene agreed Black was lucky he wasn't hurt worse. "The trooper said, 'Go and get yourself a lottery ticket,' " Black said. It is not uncommon to run across elk in that area, and over the years they've been seen crossing Interstate 5 several times. One year, a herd mingled between the Merlin interchange ramps and Merlin Road before leaving. Several years ago, a motorist had several elk jump onto and over the car on Jumpoff Joe Creek Road. By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted May. 5, 2015 at 4:33 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 2015 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