COQUILLE, Oregon — Oregon police have arrested the motorist who caused a catastrophic crash involving a community college softball team that killed a player and a coach.
Jonathan Dowdy, 32, was being held Tuesday at the Coos County Jail on charges of homicide, reckless endangerment, and driving while intoxicated, according to Oregon State Police.
Dowdy did not have a defense attorney available to speak for him as of Tuesday morning. When contacted by phone, the jail stated that Dowdy had yet to make his initial court appearance, at which point a defense attorney would be appointed to the case.
State police stated that they were actively investigating the collision.
Dowdy was driving his pickup truck on Friday when he crossed the center line and collided with a bus carrying 10 Umpqua Community College softball players, according to authorities.
Jami Strinz, 46, the school’s head softball coach, was driving the Chevrolet Express bus. Police say she was subsequently pronounced dead at a hospital.
Kiley Jones, 19, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The freshman from Nampa, Idaho, played first base, according to the athletic department’s website.
According to a school statement, the squad was traveling from a game in Coos Bay.
“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 stated in the statement. “These people were treasured members of our campus: an outstanding student-athlete and a dedicated and talented coach. Our entire community is mourning this awful loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families, teammates, and loved ones.”
According to authorities, the remaining eight passengers on the bus sustained “moderate to serious injuries and were provided with emergency medical services.” Some staff and students were treated in hospitals in Eugene and Portland on Saturday, according to the school, which did not respond to an email on Tuesday inquiring if they were still hospitalized.
Dowdy was also hurt and taken to a hospital for treatment, state police said.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement on the social media platform X that her “heart aches” for the school family affected by the tragedy. “Oregon is here for you in your grief and loss,” she told you.