Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Oregon State Police. All crashes with fatalities may not be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation.
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
• 3:50 p.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 99W near the intersection with Northeast Youngman Lane in McMinnville that took the life of Dennis Giron-Cortes, 36, of Woodburn. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Giron-Cortes was driving north in a Toyota Corolla on Highway 99W when he lost control and left the roadway. The vehicle rolled onto its roof before striking a utility pole, which dropped live power lines onto the roadway. Giron-Cortes was declared deceased at the scene. OSP reported that speed was believed to be the primary cause of the crash.
• 9:56 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 42 south of Myrtle Point that took the lives of Jami Lea Strinz, 46, of Roseburg, and Kiley Nevaeh Jones, 19, of Nampa, Idaho. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Johnathan James Dowdy, 32, of Coos Bay, was driving west in a Chevrolet Silverado on Highway 42 when he crossed the centerline and struck head-on a Chevrolet Express bus driven by Strinz. Ten members of the Umpqua Community College softball team were on the bus. Strinz was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries and was later declared deceased. Jones, one of the softball players, was declared deceased at the scene. The other eight occupants of the bus suffered moderate to serious injuries. Dowdy suffered serious injuries and was transported to RiverBend Hospital. On April 21, Dowdy was released from the hospital and arrested on several charges — first-degree manslaughter (two counts), second-degree assault (three counts), third-degree assault (five counts), reckless endangering of a person (14 counts), aggravated driving while suspended or revoked, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, driving while suspended and second-degree criminal mischief. Dowdy was lodged in Coos County Jail.
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
• 5:40 a.m. — Troopers responded to a vehicle-pedestrian crash on Highway 199 north of Cave Junction that took the life of Kale Phillip Luke, 31, of Grants Pass. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Luke was reportedly walking in the roadway when he was struck by a southbound Ford Escape driven by a 39-year-old Santa Rosa, California, man. Luke was declared deceased at the scene. The Ford’s driver was reportedly uninjured.