MEDFORD, Ore. — Cassie Cavagnaro, 37, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to a fatal DUII crash that killed 41-year-old Jason Thomas on October 11, 2024.
The incident occurred on South Pacific Highway, where Cavagnaro struck Thomas. Witnesses reported seeing her huffing inhalants while driving prior to the collision. Attempts by bystanders to alert Cavagnaro were ignored, and police had not yet arrived by the time of the accident.
After the crash, Cavagnaro attempted to leave the scene but was contacted by investigators, who noted signs of intoxication. As part of the plea agreement, her driver's license has been permanently revoked, and she is ineligible for sentence reduction.
The Jackson County District Attorney's Office collaborated with Thomas' family, who supported the resolution.
Cavagnaro faced multiple charges, including first-degree manslaughter and DUII. Originally scheduled for a pretrial conference, her defense requested a delay due to ongoing review of evidence and subsequent changes in her legal representation.
Liv Collom, Digital Content Manager at NewsWatch 12, can be reached at lcollom@kdrv.com.