Wrong Way Drunk Driver on I-5 Crashed Head-On with SUV
A drunk driver is in the hospital after driving the wrong way on I-5 before crashing head-on into an oncoming SUV.
The suspect, Ivan Grover Barber Jr., 43, of Grants Pass, is charged with DUII, Third-Degree Assault, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Felony Elude, and Second-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was hospitalized with serious injuries.
A Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to pull over a speeding Toyota pickup in the 6400 block of Rogue River Highway Sunday at 10:39 p.m. The truck eluded east at high speed towards the city of Rogue River. The pursuit was terminated prior to the city limits due to safety concerns.
A Rogue River police officer deployed spike strips and disabled the truck, but Barber continued driving the wrong way onto Interstate 5, traveling northbound in the southbound lanes. Barber crashed head-on into an oncoming SUV, totaling both vehicles and causing minor injuries to the other driver.
Jackson County Fire District 1 and American Medical Response medics arrived on scene to extricate and transport the wrong-way driver. This case is open and ongoing, and no further information is available at this time. Oregon State Police is conducting the crash investigation.
Posted on 5/19/26 6:19AM by Alex Bauer
