An Oregon college softball coach who was killed in a horror crash alongside her star player shared a haunting final post just hours before their deaths.
Jami Strinz, 46, and student athlete Kiley Nevaeh Jones, 19, were killed on Friday after their van was struck head on by an impaired driver, police said.
The crash on Highway 42 left eight other players and staff fromUmpqua Community College's RiverHawks hospitalized, with many of them seriously hurt.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, while Strinz was rushed to the hospital where she later died.
Police saidJohnathan James, 32, was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado which crossed the central reservation and plowed into the team'sChevrolet Express van, KEZI News 9 reports.
The team was celebrating their victory at a competition in Coos Bay when the crash occurred just before 10pm.
Just hours before, Strinz had taken to Facebook to share a photo of the team basking in their win and expressing her excitement for their next game the following day.
'Our RiverHawks earn the sweep today vs. Grays Harbor!' Strinz wrote alongside a picture of the team beaming at the camera.
College softball coach Jami Strinz shared a haunting final post just hours before she and her star player were killed in a horror crash
Umpqua Community College's RiverHawks' Kiley Jones, 19, was also killed in Friday's collision
The tragedy unfolded moments after the team celebrated a win over Grays Harbor College
'Thank you to SWOCC Softball for allowing us to host our series at their field today.Umpqua Softball is back at it tomorrow, hosting Lower Columbia College at Thurston High School.'
The tragedy has stunned the softball community in Oregon and beyond.
'UCC hearts are breaking with this news, and we ask the community to keep the families and all of those affected in their thoughts and prayers,' said UCC President, Dr. Rachel Pokrandt.
'These individuals were cherished members of our campus—an exceptional student-athlete, and a passionate and talented coach.
'Our entire community is grieving this tragic loss, and our heartfelt condolences are with their families, teammates, and loved ones.
'We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and offer privacy for the families during this difficult time.'
The tragedy unfolded just hours after the Riverhawks had celebrated wins over Grays Harbor College.
Jones was a freshman from Nampa, Idaho who played at first base. Her batting average was .292, according to the UCC website.
Jones, pictured with her mom, was a talented and beloved player. She died at the scene on Highway 42
Strinz, from Pleasant Hills, was brought on as the first head coach in the UCC program's history.
A talented former softball player herself, Strinz also taught atCreighton University, Western Oregon University, Portland State University and George Fox University.
She is survived by her partner,Steve Williams and her daughter, Sari.
Audrey Frable's daughter Haven Frable was among those injured in the crash.
She described her survival as a 'miracle' and revealed that she sustained a sprained wrist.
'Ididn’t get to thank Jami for all that she imparted to my daughter,' she wrote on Facebook.
'As a Mom/Dad of athletes and as a former athlete you watch your kids grow and connect or struggle to connect with their coaches over the year.
'Some they click with instantly, some they don’t, some they wrestle thru [sic] the tensions & hold fast to respect which has always equaled growth within themselves.
Strinz was driving a van with ten of the team aboard when it was struck by an impaired driver who crossed the central line, police said
'With Jami I saw this out of Haven… I saw her respect & gain maturity, leadership qualities, & grow as an athlete as she came under Jami’s leadership & coaching.
'She wasn’t just a coach to these young women she was a mother.'
A GoFundMepage has been set up to help support the team following the tragic loss.
