According to an Oregon State Police press release, multiple agencies including Myrtle Point Police Department, Coquille Police Department, Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Myrtle Point Fire, Coquille Fire, and the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 42 in Coos County late Friday evening, April 18th.
Preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Chevrolet Silverado, crossed the centerline into the eastbound lane and struck an eastbound Chevrolet Express bus occupied with 10 members of the Umqua Community College softball team, head-on.
The operator of the Chevrolet Silverado, identified as 32 year old Johnathan James Dowdy of Coos Bay, suffered serious injuries and was transported to an emergency medical center.
The operator of the Chevrolet Express, 46 year old Jami Lea Strinz of Roseburg,was transported with critical injuries and was later declared deceased at the hospital. A passenger of the Chevrolet Express, 19 year old Kiley Nevaeh Jones of Nampa Idaho, was declared deceased at the scene.
The other 8 occupants of the Chevrolet Express, whose identities are not being released at this time, suffered moderate to serious injuries and were provided emergency medical services.
The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. Impaired driving is considered a primary cause of the crash.
Due to the on-going criminal investigation, additional details related to the crash are not available for release.
