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09/13 19:14 CDT Driver in crash that killed Oregon softball coach and player
sentenced to 20 years in prison
Driver in crash that killed Oregon softball coach and player sentenced to 20
years in prison
By JACK DURA
Associated Press
The driver accused in a fatal crash that killed an Oregon community college
softball player and head coach has been sentenced to more than 20 years in
prison.
The judge imposed the sentence against Johnathan James Dowdy, 33, as several
members of the Umpqua Community College softball team, the entire soccer team
and the school's president and athletic director looked on.
Dowdy was driving his pickup April 18 when he crossed the center line and
crashed into a bus carrying 10 members of the softball team, according to
Oregon State Police. The team was on the road from a game in Coos Bay.
Coach Jami Strinz, 46, who was driving the Chevrolet Express bus, and freshman
Kiley Jones, 19, who played first base, died. The other eight passengers on the
bus suffered moderate to serious injuries, and Dowdy also was hurt.
He pleaded guilty to multiple offenses including two counts of second-degree
manslaughter, assault-related charges, driving under the influence of
intoxicants and criminal driving while suspended or revoked.
On Thursday, Judge Andrew E. Combs sentenced Dowdy to 20 1/2 years with three
years of post-prison supervision, according to court records. The sentence
included 6 1/4 years for each manslaughter charge.
His driver's license also was revoked for life, and he was fined $2,000.
Jones' mother and stepfather, Nichole and Scott Mahoney, of Nampa, Idaho, said
they feel Dowdy's sentence was too lenient given his past offenses. According
to online Oregon court records, his history includes drunken driving and
numerous violations for driving while suspended or revoked and driving
uninsured.
"Although I forgive him because I don't want to live in bitterness and anger, I
don't excuse his bad behavior and his bad choice," Nichole Mahoney said.
The Mahoneys said Jones was a caring and funny young woman who loved animals
and children and dreamed of a career in law enforcement. A three-sport varsity
high school athlete, with soccer her main focus, she also excelled at softball
and joined the college's team when it began. She was a trustworthy and
compassionate teammate, her mother said.
"Her little sister used to have somebody to call and talk to about anything,
and now she doesn't have that," Scott Mahoney said. "Her friends don't have
that person to confide in anymore, to joke with, to laugh about, to celebrate
the launching of a pumpkin spice coffee."
The Associated Press emailed and left phone messages for the prosecutor,
Dowdy's attorney and the college's director of athletics and events. The
college declined to comment.
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