Crash on Highway 42 claims lives of community college softball coach and student-athlete

A tragic two-vehicle crash on Highway 42 in Coos County, Oregon, claimed the lives of Umpqua Community College (UCC) softball coach Jami Lea Strinz and student-athlete Kiley Nevaeh Jones late Friday night. The incident occurred when a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Johnathan James Dowdy, crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a bus transporting the UCC softball team. Strinz was critically injured and later pronounced dead at the hospital, while Jones was declared dead at the scene. Dowdy sustained serious injuries and was taken to an emergency medical center, while eight other passengers on the bus suffered moderate to serious injuries. UCC President Dr.

Rachel Pokrandt expressed the college's profound sadness, stating that the community is grieving the loss of cherished members. The crash is suspected to have been caused by impaired driving, prompting a criminal investigation by the Oregon State Police. The highway was closed for five hours as authorities gathered evidence. UCC is providing support services to students and staff during this difficult time, emphasizing the need for privacy for the families affected.