Dowdy indicted for fatal crash with UCC softball bus
Johnathan Dowdy, 32, was arraigned on 25 charges in a crash that killed two UCC softball players and injured eight others. He remains in jail on $2 million bail. Prosecutors allege reckless driving with extreme indifference. His next court date is set for May 21.
COQUILLE — A man accused in a fatal crash that killed two Umpqua Community College softball players and injured several others was formally arraigned Wednesday morning in a Coos County courtroom.
Johnathan James Dowdy, 32, of Coos Bay, appeared in a wheelchair before Judge Matthew Muenchrath to hear 25 formal charges stemming from the April 18 crash on Highway 42 near Myrtle Point. The crash left Dowdy hospitalized until his arrest on April 21, following his release from RiverBend Medical Center.
Dowdy, who showed visible injuries including facial bruising and a medical boot on his leg, was originally scheduled for a preliminary hearing. However, a grand jury convened Tuesday and returned a multi-count indictment, prompting the court to proceed with an arraignment instead. The grand jury heard testimony from 11 witnesses, including law enforcement officers, a paramedic, and a state police toxicologist.
The charges now include two counts of first-degree manslaughter, three counts of second-degree assault, eight counts of third-degree assault, nine counts of recklessly endangering another person, and single counts of driving while intoxicated, driving on a suspended license, and reckless driving.
Prosecutors allege Dowdy acted with “extreme indifference to the value of human life,” recklessly causing two deaths and seriously injuring others. The assault charges reflect a mix of serious and moderate injuries, with some victims listed more than once under different legal theories — eight individuals were injured in total.
Defense attorney Jennifer Leseberg acknowledged receipt of the indictment and charges from a separate, unrelated DUI case. Judge Muenchrath appointed Chris Muro as co-counsel on the prior charge and entered a not guilty plea on Dowdy’s behalf. Bail remains set at $2 million. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 21.
The case was reassigned to Judge Muenchrath following a motion from Dowdy, who claimed he could not receive a fair trial before the previously assigned judge.
Deputy District Attorney John Blanc represented the state, indicating he will seek an enhanced sentence if Dowdy is convicted, citing prior supervision and the extraordinary harm caused by the crash.
Source: The News Review
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