Sports
Driver sentenced in crash that killed softball player
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.
Johnathan James Dowdy, 33, was driving his pickup April 18 when he crossed the center line and crashed into a bus carrying 10 members of the Umpqua Community College 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His driver’s license also was revoked for life, and he was fined $2,000.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.”
Several members of the softball team, the entire soccer team and the school’s president and athletic director attended Dowdy’s sentencing, the Mahoneys said.
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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After Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were arrested last week due to their own alleged involvement in illegal gambling, speculation went around that Gilbert Arenas cooperated with authorities to implicate the NBA figures.
The former NBA star, who found himself in trouble during his playing days, was accused earlier this year of operating an illegal gambling ring from a home he owned in Southern California.
Shortly after his July arrest, Arenas, who pleaded not guilty, admitted that he would be “snitching.” But in a livestream on Friday, he reiterated he would only do so in his own case.
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NBA player Gilbert Arenas arrives at District of Columbia Court, Jan. 15, 2010 in Washington, D.C. (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
Thus, Arenas denied any involvement in the most recent case.
“I don’t know what this gotta do with my case,” Arenas said. “I don’t think you just walk around telling them cases you don’t know. My case is different. I don’t know what my case has to do with n—-s that’s gambling and giving information on NBA games. How does that have to do with me?”
“Common sense is common sense. This is a whole different breed of – this s— has its own name. Mine didn’t have no operation name,” Arenas added, referencing that Rozier and Jones were arrested in “Operation Nothing But Bet,” and Billups and Jones were arrested in “Operation Royal Flush.”
A federal indictment obtained by Fox News Digital showed Arenas was charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating an illegal gambling business, and another count of making false statements to federal investigators.
Arenas, nicknamed “Agent Zero,” is suspected of renting a property in Encino, California, for the purpose of hosting high-stakes poker games, according to the Justice Department.
Closeup of Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas (0) on the court during a game vs the Phoenix Suns in Washington, D.C. (Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The federal indictment was filed in Los Angeles. According to the document, Arenas is accused of instructing Arthur Kats to stage illegal games. Kats allegedly handled rental payments for other individuals who were also believed to have had a role in the operation. Officials said they obtained text messages believed to show conversations between Arenas and Kats about details of the games in question.
One of the defendants, Ievgen Krachun, was identified as the person who oversaw the gambling as it was allegedly being committed inside the home, according to the indictment. Another defendant, Yevgeni Gershman, was described by the DOJ as a “suspected organized crime figure from Israel.”
During his career, Arenas was charged after bringing guns into the team’s locker room during a dispute with former teammate Javaris Crittenton. Crittenton served 10 years in prison for his role in a 2011 shooting.
Billups, Rozier and Jones, the latter of whom is a defendant in both cases, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The NBA announced that Billups and Rozier were placed on immediate leave from their teams, “and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities.”
Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were arrested on Thursday. (Jaime Valdez/Imagn Images, Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
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“The integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the NBA said.
Fox News’ Chantz Martin contributed to this report.
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The Arthur M. Blank Foundation announced Wednesday morning that the Atlanta Falcons owner will donate “an initial grant” of $1.5 million to Hurricane Melissa relief efforts.
The foundation said the money will be donated to support the work of World Central Kitchen, Team Rubicon, and CARE USA.
“World Central Kitchen provides nourishing meals and fresh water in times of crisis, and Team Rubicon specializes in on the ground disaster response and recovery,” the foundation said in a release. “The Foundation’s pre-investment for CARE USA’s Humanitarian Surge Fund aids in providing rapid deployment of resources for disaster relief and will be activated immediately.”
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Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank reacts during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“Jamaica and the Caribbean hold a special place in my heart, filled with meaningful family memories,” Blank himself said in a statement.
“The impact of Hurricane Melissa is profound, but so is the resilience of people in this region. We’re humbled to support Team Rubicon and World Central Kitchen with an initial grant to help address immediate needs in the community with disaster relief and nourishing meals. While the road ahead will be long, our hearts are with those affected, and we hope our support brings comfort and strength along the way.”
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank looks on prior to the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 24, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EXPLAINS CAM SKATTEBO’S GRUESOME ANKLE INJURY AND RECOVERY OUTLOOK
The storm slammed Jamaica earlier this week as a Category 5 hurricane, making it the strongest storm ever to make a direct hit on the island.
With 185 mph winds and 220 mph gusts, it’s the strongest storm this year and the third Category 5 hurricane. This is also the second time in a calendar year there have been at least three Category 5 hurricanes recorded.
The last time Jamaica faced a hurricane of a similar magnitude was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, a Category 4 storm remembered as the deadliest and most destructive in the nation’s history.
Storm surge is pictured before the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean Terrace area of Kingston, Jamaica, on Oct. 25, 2025. (RICARDO MAKYN/AFP)
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The storm left hundreds homeless and forced thousands into overcrowded emergency shelters, according to a report from the National Library of Jamaica. Despite its ferocity, the official death toll remained relatively low, with 45 fatalities and few reported injuries, but the storm caused an estimated $800 million in damage across the island, the publication said.
Fox News’ Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
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Norfolk State and Delaware State chose to gamble by making celebrity coaching hires. As Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson meet Thursday night, the early results are decidedly mixed.
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