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35 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 16, 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 Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley 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 September 26, 2004 Driver arrested in fatal hit-and-run accident By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune The hit-and-run death of an Ashland man has been linked to a 24-year-old alleged drunk driver. Ryan Dean Rackley, of the 500 block of Carter Lane, Ashland, was arrested Friday night on suspicion of driving his car into 20-year-old Anthony James Waldron while Waldron was walking along South Valley View Road on Sept. 15. Hurled about 70 feet, Waldron suffered head injuries and died the next day at Rogue Valley Medical Center. He had been living for the past month at the Wellsprings campground off Highway 99. Rackley was lodged Friday in the Jackson County Jail on charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter, felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence of intoxicants. He remained in jail late Saturday, his bail set at $2,009,000. Rackley was seen drinking at an Ashland bar several hours before the 10:20 p.m. collision, said sheriff’s Capt. Joe Puckett. Waldron’s brother and an acquaintance told police they were walking to a gas station to buy cigarettes when a small white sedan struck Waldron, nearly hitting the other two men. The car then sped off toward the freeway overpass. Advertisement Rackley aroused investigators’ suspicions when he reported to Ashland police that someone stole his car, a white 1996 Honda Civic that matched the suspect vehicle’s description, Puckett said. However, detectives found the car a day after the collision at Rackley’s residence, approximately one mile from the crime scene on Valley View, Puckett said. The Honda’s passenger side had been damaged, and the windshield was cracked. Some plastic parts found at the crash site also appeared to fit components broken from the car’s undercarriage, Puckett said. Detectives interviewed numerous people before arresting Rackley at about 5 p.m. Friday, Puckett said. No one was else was believed to be in his vehicle at the time of the collision, he added. The charge of drunken driving is Rackley’s second, according to Jackson County Circuit Court records. Cited for DUII in 1998, Rackley completed a one-year diversion program, resulting in the dismissal of that case. If convicted of first-degree manslaughter, Rackley would spend a minimum of 12 years in prison under Oregon’s mandatory sentencing law, Measure 11. Rackley attended Ashland High School, where he also played football and competed in track and field. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, 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 SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities