Two members of the Umpqua Community College softball team were killed in a head-on collision involving their team bus and a pickup truck on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Coos County, Oregon.
Head coach Jami Lea Strinz, 46, who was driving the bus, and freshman first baseman Kiley Nevaeh Jones, 19, from Nampa, Idaho, died in the crash.
According to the Oregon State Police, the accident occurred at about 9:56 p.m. local time on Highway 42, near milepost 23. Strinz suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital, while Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. Eight other passengers, all members of the softball team, sustained moderate to serious injuries and received medical treatment.
The driver of the pickup, identified as Johnathan James Dowdy, 32, of Coos Bay, Oregon, was taken to an emergency medical center with serious injuries. After being released from a Eugene-area hospital, Dowdy was arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter, driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), eight assault charges, and 14 counts of recklessly endangering a person.
Court records indicate that Dowdy has a history of traffic violations. He was cited for DUII in January 2025, and his record also includes 12 counts of driving with a suspended or revoked license and seven counts of driving uninsured since 2016.
The Oregon State Police investigation indicates Dowdy’s westbound Chevrolet Silverado crossed the center line, resulting in a head-on collision with the team bus. Impaired driving is being investigated as a primary cause, with a criminal investigation ongoing.
The team was returning to their Roseburg, Oregon, campus after a doubleheader in Coos Bay when the crash happened. The Umpqua Community College community has been deeply affected by the news.
“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,” UCC President Dr. Rachel Pokrandt said in a statement.
Dr. Pokrandt described Jones as an “exceptional student-athlete” and Strinz as a “passionate and talented coach.” She extended her condolences to their families, teammates, and loved ones, acknowledging the community’s collective grief.
Jones, a freshman, played first base for the Umpqua Community College team, achieving a batting average of .292 for the season. Strinz was the head coach, recognized for her experience and background in college athletics.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek expressed her condolences in a post on X.
In response to the incident, Umpqua Community College is providing support services to all students, faculty, and staff. The team’s scheduled games on Saturday were canceled, with their next games tentatively set for Friday.
Dowdy was booked into the Coos County Jail on Monday, April 21, 2025. Beyond the manslaughter and DUII charges, he faces counts of aggravated driving while suspended, reckless driving, criminal driving while suspended, and second-degree criminal mischief.
A fundraising campaign has been launched to support the families of Strinz and Jones during this challenging time. The softball community in Oregon and beyond has rallied around the Umpqua Community College team following the crash.
The investigation into the crash continues as the community mourns the loss of two valued members of the Umpqua Community College softball program.
