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Jonathan Dowdy, 32, was being held Tuesday at the Coos County
Jail, where he has been booked for offenses including
manslaughter, reckless endangering and driving under the
influence of intoxicants, Oregon State Police said.
As of Tuesday morning, Dowdy did not have a defense attorney who
could speak on his behalf. When reached by phone, the jail said
Dowdy had yet to have his initial court appearance, which is
when a defense attorney would be appointed to the case.
State police said they were actively investigating the
collision.
Dowdy was driving his pickup truck on Friday when he crossed a
center line and crashed into a bus carrying 10 members of the
Umpqua Community College softball team, police said.
Jami Strinz, 46, described on the school’s website as the head
softball coach, was driving the Chevrolet Express bus. Police
said she was later declared dead at a hospital.
Kiley Jones, 19, was declared dead at the scene. The freshman
from Nampa, Idaho, played first base, according to the athletics
department’s website.
The team was traveling from a game in Coos Bay, according to a
statement from the school.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our
student-athletes, Kiley Jones, and one of our coaches, Jami
Strinz, lost their lives in the accident,” President Rachel
Pokrandt said in the statement. “These individuals were
cherished members of our campus — an exceptional
student-athlete, and a passionate and talented coach. Our entire
community is grieving this tragic loss, and our heartfelt
condolences are with their families, teammates, and loved ones.”
The other eight occupants of the bus suffered “moderate to
serious injuries and were provided emergency medical services,”
according to police. Some staff and students received treatment
in hospitals in Eugene and Portland on Saturday, according to
the school, which did not immediately respond to an email on
Tuesday asking to confirm whether they were still hospitalized.
Dowdy was also injured and was admitted to a hospital to receive
care, state police said.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement on the social
platform X that her “heart aches” for the school family reeling
from the tragedy. “Oregon is here for you in your grief and
loss,” she said.
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