Jori Jones, 19, died in a collision with a minivan on Sunday
Jori Jones, a 19-year-old goalie for the Gustavus Adolphus College women’s hockey team, was killed in a car crash on Sunday afternoon in west-central Minnesota. Jones was a passenger in a Chevrolet Equinox driven by her teammate Gianna Gasparini, 19, who survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Three other teammates, Kayla Bluhm, 20, Lily Mortenson, 19, and Gianna Gasparini, 19, were also in the SUV and suffered minor injuries.
According to the State Patrol, the crash occurred when one of the drivers failed to stop at a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Highway 40 and Highway 29, about 20 miles west of Willmar. The SUV collided with a Dodge Caravan driven by Brandi Rasmussen, 28, who also survived with non-life-threatening injuries. The State Patrol did not specify which driver ran the stop sign.
All five women were wearing seatbelts and were taken to the nearby Montevideo Hospital. Jones succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Jones was a member of the national champion Gustavus women’s hockey team
Jones was a goaltender for the Gustavus Adolphus College women’s hockey team, which won the NCAA Division III national championship in March. It was the first national title for the college in women’s hockey. Jones was a backup goalie who did not see any game action last season, but was expected to compete for more playing time in her sophomore year.
Jones graduated from Roseville Area High School in 2022, where she played hockey for four years. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Council. She was majoring in biology at Gustavus Adolphus College and had aspirations to become a doctor.
Her coach, Mike Carroll, described her as a hard-working and supportive teammate who had a bright future ahead of her. He said she had a strong work ethic that came from her family, who were very supportive of her hockey career.
The Gustavus community is grieving and offering support
The Gustavus community is mourning the loss of Jones and offering support to her family and friends. The college released a statement on Sunday night expressing its condolences and announcing that there will be a vigil on campus when classes resume on Sept. 5.
The statement also said that counseling services are available for students, faculty and staff who are affected by the tragedy. The college encouraged anyone who needs help to reach out to the Dean of Students Office or the Chaplains’ Office.
The women’s hockey team also posted a tribute to Jones on its Twitter account, saying that she was “a beautiful person inside and out” who “touched so many lives with her kindness and positivity.” The team asked for prayers and support for Jones’ family and teammates.
Many other members of the Gustavus community also expressed their grief and sympathy on social media, sharing memories and photos of Jones. Some of her former high school teammates and coaches also posted messages of condolence and admiration for Jones.
The crash is under investigation by the State Patrol
The State Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash and has not released any details about who was at fault or if any charges will be filed. The patrol said that alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
The patrol also said that it was surprised that Rasmussen, the driver of the minivan, survived the crash. Rasmussen told the Star-Tribune that she came to a full stop at the intersection and did not see the SUV until it hit her. She said she was thrown into the air and rolled several times before landing in a ditch.
Rasmussen said she suffered a concussion, whiplash and bruises from the crash. She said she was grateful to be alive and felt sorry for Jones’ family.
