Christmas tree on south end of downtown and Lithia Park sign off Plaza destroyed

By Bert Etling, Ashland.news

Two accidents in three days took down a pair of Ashland landmarks. Ashland Police say the destruction of the Lights for Life tree on Siskiyou Boulevard early Saturday and the Lithia Park sign Monday evening both resulted in drivers being booked on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, among other charges.

Medford resident Tramon Mitchell, 24, was headed north on Siskiyou Boulevard just after midnight Friday night when his vehicle went over the curb and onto the median island between the Ashland Public Library and Ashland Fire & Rescue Station No. 1, knocking down the tree used by Ashland Community Hospital Foundation as its Lights for Life tree at Christmas time. The car came to rest just before plowing into the public artwork known as Threshold.

Mitchell was booked into Jackson County Jail on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving, according to the Ashland Police Department.

Ashland resident Nicoa Cline, 31, was headed through the Plaza at a high rate of speed at about 7:46 p.m. Monday when he plowed into the Lithia Park sign, a light pole and a tree where Winburn Way meets the Plaza, narrowly missing a person standing near the sign, police report.

Cline tried to leave the scene but was detained by an off-duty law enforcement officer until Ashland police arrived, according to the report. He was book on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, hit and run and criminal mischief.

Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at [email protected] or call or text him at 541-631-1313.