A Jackson County man pleaded guilty Friday morning to felony hit-and-run resulting in death or serious injury as well as driving under the influence of intoxicants in a 2023 vehicle-vs.-pedestrian collision along Interstate 5 that resulted in a woman’s death.

Gary Caperna was sentenced to three years of probation with the agreement that if he’s later revoked from the probation, he will serve an 18-month prison sentence, according to a release from the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. His driver’s license was revoked, as well. 

Emergency dispatchers reported a vehicle collision on I- 5 near the Jackson County Expo around 10:30 p.m. June 6, 2023. 

The Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) team conducted an investigation after Eagle Point resident Shasta Smith was found dead on the interstate. 

It was determined that Smith was driving southbound on I-5 in a Honda Pilot and crashed into a Kia Rio that was ahead of her, causing it to roll over the center median and onto the northbound shoulder of the interstate. 

While unable to confirm what caused Smith’s initial collision, investigators later determined that she was heavily intoxicated at the time. 

The driver of the Kia Rio was later charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, the release said.

Smith’s Honda Pilot caught fire after the crash, but she was able to escape and run over to the Kia Rio to help the driver inside, but she was unsuccessful. 

Smith then decided to enter the northbound lane of I-5 to flag down a vehicle for help, according to the release. When she did, Smith put herself directly in front of Caperna’s vehicle, a Ford F-150 heading northbound. 

Caperna hit Smith with his vehicle, causing her death. 

Caperna drove from the scene, but his front license plate was discovered at the crash, and investigators used it to identify and locate him shortly thereafter, the release said.

Caperna admitted that he consumed alcohol prior to driving and was intoxicated at the time of the fatal hit-and-run with Smith, the D.A.’s office said.

Because Caperna had no prior criminal history and because the circumstances of the incident made it challenging to prove more serious charges such as manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, he was given three years of probation, the release said. 

Investigators weren’t able to locate witnesses, leaving them without information to determine why Smith decided to enter the northbound lane of I-5 or how long she may have been in the lane before being hit by Caperna. 

The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office consulted with Smith’s surviving sisters during plea negotiations, and they were supportive of the final resolution. 

The prosecution was handled by Deputy District Attorney Matt Anderson.