Latest news with #Strinz
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police arrest driver accused of killing college softball player from Nampa
Police have arrested the driver accused of killing a college softball player from Nampa and her coach in a Friday collision in Oregon. Jonathan Dowdy, 32, of Coos Bay, Oregon, was driving west in a Chevrolet truck on Highway 42 in Coos County when he crossed the centerline into the eastbound lane of traffic just before 10 p.m., according to an Oregon State Police news release. Police said the Dowdy was impaired and struck a Chevrolet Express bus head-on near milepost 23. The bus was driven by 46-year-old Umpqua Community College softball coach Jami Strinz, of Roseburg, Oregon, and carried nine other members of the team, according to the release. The crash killed Kiley Jones, 19, of Nampa, according to police. She died at the scene. Law enforcement said Strinz was transported to a hospital before dying with critical injuries. The other eight people on the bus 'suffered moderate to serious injuries and were provided emergency medical services,' police said. Police booked Dowdy, who was also hospitalized following the crash, into Coos County Jail on Monday evening for a number of charges, including two counts of manslaughter, three felony counts of second-degree assault, five felony counts of third-degree assault and one felony count of aggravated driving with a suspended or revoked license. He was also charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, criminal mischief and 14 counts of reckless endangerment. Jones graduated from Columbia High School in Nampa in 2024 before heading to Umpqua Community College last fall as a freshman, where she played first base on the softball team, according to a college player spotlight. 'If you were blessed enough to meet Kiley, then you know what an amazing human being she was,' Stephanie Dawson wrote in a GoFundMe she created for her family. 'Her soul was like no other. Her sense of humor was contagious, and she had a heart of gold. It was just the beginning of her adult life, going to college in Oregon and trying to continue into the next phase of life. ' A GoFundMe was also created to raise money for Strinz's family.. 'Just hours before, she was doing what she loved most — coaching her Umpqua Community College softball team, mentoring and inspiring the young women she was so passionate about,' Patty Elliott wrote on the fundraiser page. 'Jami's love for sports was only matched by her unwavering commitment to student-athletes. She dedicated her life to helping others succeed — on and off the field — and her influence has touched countless lives.' Umpqua Community College President Rachel Pokrandt said in a statement that the 'entire community is grieving' the loss of 'an exceptional student-athlete, and a passionate and talented coach.'
Fox News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
College softball player, coach dead after being involved in head-on collision while traveling from game
A college softball player and her coach are dead after their team bus was involved in a head-on collision in Oregon while traveling home from a game, school officials and law enforcement confirmed over the weekend. Kiley Jones, a freshman on the Umpqua Community College's softball team, and head coach Jami Strinz were tragically killed on Friday night when the team's bus was struck by another vehicle while driving home from a game in Coos Bay, Oregon. "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. Additional staff and students remain in hospitals in Eugene and Portland. UCC hearts are breaking with this news, and we ask the community to keep the families and all of those affected in their thoughts and prayers," UCC President Dr. Rachel Pokrandt said in a 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. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and offer privacy for the families during this difficult time. Support services are available to all students, faculty, and staff. Please join us in holding space for grief and reflection as we honor these individuals." According to an accident report from the Oregon State Police, Strinz was driving the team bus at around 9:56 p.m. when a driver in a Chevrolet Silverado traveling in the opposite direction crossed the centerline into the lane the bus was traveling in and struck them head-on. Jones, 19, was declared dead on the scene, and Strinz, 46, was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where she later died. There were 10 members of the softball team on the bus at the time of the crash. Eight other people on the bus were said to sustain "moderate to serious injuries." The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado, 32-year-old Johnathan James Dowdy, suffered "serious injuries" and was transported to an area hospital. The investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing, law enforcement said. Jones played first base in her 28 appearances for the team. Strinz was named the "first head coach in program history" this season. She leaves behind her partner Steve Williams and their daughter, Sari, according to the team's website. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek released a statement on X saying, "My heart aches for the @umpquacc family reeling from this tragedy. Oregon is here for you in your grief and loss. You are in my prayers. Many thanks to @ORStatePolice and other emergency responders for their compassionate response." The Umpqua Community College softball team canceled both games on Saturday following the tragic deaths. They are due to play next on Friday. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
