Appeal Filed in Fatal UCC Softball Team Crash Case

Nov. 5, 2025 | SALEM — A notice of appeal in the case of the Umpqua Community College softball team’s fatal bus crash does not indicate that Jonathan James Dowdy will be released from prison.

Dowdy, 33, of Coos Bay, was sentenced Sept. 11 in Coos County Circuit Court to more than 20 years in prison.

The notice filed Monday states only that the trial court erred in imposing a sentence that violated the plea agreement. However, a sentencing memorandum filed by Dowdy’s defense attorney, Jennifer Leseburg, on Sept. 8 indicates the parties agreed to the largest portions of the sentence.

That memorandum, included in the court docket, shows Dowdy stipulated to consecutive sentences for two counts of second-degree manslaughter and three counts of third-degree assault. Based on that, Dowdy was aware of his sentence before it was handed down. Judge Andrew E. Combs told the court in Coquille that he intended to follow the resolutions agreed upon by the parties involved.

The News-Review reached out Tuesday to the Oregon Public Defense Commission and the Coos County District Attorney’s Office for details. Neither had responded as of deadline.

A comparison of the defense’s sentencing memorandum with the judgment recorded by Coos County Circuit Court shows them to be nearly identical. Based on that, the alleged error in Dowdy’s sentencing was not immediately clear.

In both documents, the two counts of manslaughter and three counts of assault added up to 20 years and six months in prison when sentenced consecutively, as stipulated by the defense. Multiple misdemeanors were sentenced at six months each, but to run concurrently with the felonies.

There were minor differences in the language of the felony assault counts. Leseburg’s memorandum stated, “Mr. Dowdy is eligible for earned time and programs at the Oregon Department of Corrections,” in accordance with Oregon statutes. That eligibility did not apply to the consecutive manslaughter sentences, which add up to 12 years and six months.

The written judgment, meanwhile, states under the assault sentences only that while the defendant may be considered for certain reductions, temporary leave, or conditional, work, or supervised release if eligible at the time of sentencing, the defendant may not be considered for release on post-prison supervision even if he completes an alternative incarceration program.

Alternative incarceration programs, or AIPs, only result in early release if the court grants that eligibility at the time of sentencing under Oregon Revised Statutes.

In handing down Dowdy’s sentence, Combs clarified verbally that while the assault sentences may be eligible for “good time,” there would be “no AIPs.” “Good time” is at the discretion of the Department of Corrections, while AIPs must be authorized by the court.

According to the Oregon Department of Corrections, Dowdy is incarcerated at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton, with his earliest possible release date listed as March 22, 2044. That lowest-possible sentence of just under 20 years aligns with the “good time” possible on the assault sentences only.

Chief Deputy District Attorney John Blanc told The News-Review in September that the sentence of 20 years and six months was explained to Dowdy explicitly by the judge during the change of plea hearing in August.

Records from the Oregon Court of Appeals show Dowdy’s notice of appeal was filed Oct. 13. The record does not yet contain additional details on the alleged sentencing error, and Dowdy’s appeal has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.