Jori Jones, a member of the NCAA Division III national champion Gustavus Adolphus College women’s hockey team, tragically passed away on Sunday in a car accident in Minnesota. Jones was just 19 years old.
Three other players were also injured in the accident, which happened at a rural intersection.
According to the Minnesota Star-Tribune, the collision took place around 12:40 p.m. on Sunday, approximately 20 miles west of Willmar in Grace Township. The women’s SUV was traveling east on Highway 40 when it collided with a southbound minivan.
All four women were rushed to Montevideo Hospital, but sadly, Jones did not survive her injuries.
The driver of the SUV has been identified as Gianna K. Gasparini. Her grandfather, Gino Gasparini, served as the head coach for the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team from 1978 to 1994 and led the team to three national championships.
According to State Patrol Sgt. Troy Christianson, one of the drivers failed to stop at a stop sign, but it is unclear who is at fault. The accident occurred at a four-way stop intersection.
The players were in one of three vehicles carrying teammates who were returning from a trip to Aberdeen in South Dakota.
“There was a group of cars traveling together,” said Mike Carroll, the head coach of Gustavus Adolphus women’s hockey team. “One of the cars arrived at the scene of the accident and witnessed the paramedics rescuing the athletes from the car. The other group heard about the accident and turned back.”
All four women were freshmen during the previous season when Gustavus Adolphus won the NCAA Division III national title in March 2023. Before attending Gustavus Adolphus, Jones played high school hockey for Roseville in Minnesota.
Gustavus Adolphus organized a private vigil on campus to honor the victims on Monday.
