A Washington teenager is accused of killing three children and one woman in a grisly multi-car collision – marking his third speeding crash in the past year.
The King County Prosecutor’s Office charged Chase David Jones, 18, with four counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular assault and one count of reckless driving following Tuesday’s crash.
Jones was allegedly traveling at 112 mph when he collided with a van near the intersection of South 192nd Street and 140th Avenue South in Renton, resulting in a three-car pileup.
The victims were identified as sisters Eloise and Matilda Wilcoxson, 12 and 13; Buster Brown, 12; and Andrea Hudson, 38.
‘When you’re driving, think of the people around you,’ the girls’ father, Chace Wilcoxson, said in a desperate plea published in the Seattle Times.
‘When you’re tempted to speed, think of Andrea. When you’re tempted to grab your phone while you’re driving, think of my beautiful girls, Matilda and Eloise. When you’re trying to make the light, remember Buster Brown.’
Andrea Hudson, 38, was carpooling five children including two of her own when another car blew through a red light at an intersection, smashing into her van and killing her instantly
Among the victims were sisters Eloise and Matilda Wilcoxson, 12 and 13, who are survived by their parents and four other siblings
Also killed in the accident was 12-year-old Buster Brown, who was described as ‘an exemplary son, brother, and friend’
Chase David Jones, 18, has been charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and reckless driving in connection to Tuesday’s crash. He was allegedly going 112 mph when he ‘T-boned’ Hudson’s vehicle
All four victims died from ‘multiple blunt force injuries,’ according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office
Hudson’s children, Nolan and Charlotte, who were also in the van, suffered brain bleeds, internal injuries and broken bones and taken to Harborview Medical Center.
As of Friday, Nolan was in critical condition while Charlotte was in serious condition in the ICU, according to spokeswoman Susan Gregg.
An adult in a third car, which was hit on in the collision, sustained minor injuries.
Jones was treated for an internal injury that required surgery as well as a fractured leg and ribs. He has since been released.
The teen’s 2015 Audi A4 had been purchased just a month before the deadly collision. According to court documents, it was the third vehicle Jones had totaled in a speeding crash in the last 11 months.
Hudson, who led a homeschooling group, was driving the three children home Tuesday afternoon when she passed through the intersection and was T-boned by Jones, according to court documents.
The teen had been driving erratically, speeding and ‘weaving around other traffic.’ Data from his car showed he was traveling 112 mph when he ran a red light at the intersection ‘at full throttle without braking.’
According to court documents, Tuesday’s multi-car pileup was the third speeding crash Jones had been involved in over the last 11 months
Hudson is survived by her husband, Abe, and three children. Two of her kids, 14-year-old Nolan and 12-year-old Charlotte, were in the van at the time of the crash and suffered serious injuries
The Wilcoxson sisters were described by their mother as ‘inseparable’
Jones’ 2015 Audi A4 had been purchased just a month before the collision
Prosecutors described the collision as ‘incredibly violent,’ noting that all four victims died instantly.
Matilda and Eloise Wilcoxson are survived by four siblings with a little sister on the way.
Speaking to the Seattle Times, Rivka Mikkelsen Wilcoxson described her daughters as ‘inseparable.’
‘I can’t talk about it in the past tense because I know they’re still around,’ she said. ‘The only consolation is I know they would want to be together.’
The grieving mother shared a selfie of the trio to Facebook, writing, ‘It has been the great privilege of my life to be a mother to these beautiful girls.’
The sisters were close friends with Buster Brown, whose father, Jaron Brown, described him as ‘the sweetest kid.’
Buster is survived by his parents and four siblings. His uncle, Derek Brown, organized a GoFundMe on behalf of the heartbroken family.
‘Four wonderful people were taken from the world in a flash, and we grieve for all of the families affected by this tragedy,’ the man wrote.
He described the little boy as ‘an exemplary son, brother, and friend,’ praising his talent in music, sports and academics.
‘His passion for life, learning, and taking on new challenges was infectious to all who were fortunate enough to spend time with him. His family and friends will long mourn the hole his absence will undoubtedly leave in their lives,’ Buster’s uncle wrote.
Hudson is survived by her husband, Abe, and her children, 14-year-old Nolan, 12-year-old Charlotte and 8-year-old Jude.
The family is accepting donations on GoFundMe for the children’s hospital bills and Andrea’s funeral.
Hudson led a homeschooling group and was driving the three children (Pictured: a memorial honoring the victims of the deadly crash)
All four victims died instantly when Jones T-boned Hudson’s van, prosecutors said, describing the crash as ‘incredibly violent’
If the total number of deaths climbs past 825, 2023 will become the year with the highest number of traffic fatalities in Washington state since 1981
All four victims were involved in the Renton School District’s H.O.M.E. program, an alternative learning system. The district plans to have grief counselors on site for other students.
The wreck was the first crash at the intersection this year, following two in 2023, according to data from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reported 809 traffic fatalities throughout the state in 2023 and continues to accrue data.
If the total number of deaths surpasses 825, it will become the year with the highest number of traffic fatalities since 1981.
‘When you look at homicide cases, the most random types of homicides are vehicle homicides, not just in King County, but across Washington state,’ Casey McNerthney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told KIRO 7.
‘Reckless driving is one of the charges that was filed. And that is an important one to get before the court.’
He added the prosecutor’s office created a felony traffic unit last year in response to the increase in cases.
Jones is set to be held on $1 million bail. His arraignment is scheduled for next month.