A Washington teen is accused of killing three children and a woman in a horrific multi-car crash — his third speeding crash in the past year.
The King County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Chase David Jones, 18, with four counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular assault and one count of reckless driving after Tuesday’s crash.
Jones was reportedly traveling at 110 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, ages 12 and 13; Buster Brown, 12; and Andrea Hudson, 38.
“When you drive, think about 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 pick up your phone while you’re driving, remember my beautiful girls, Matilda and Eloise. When you try to make light, think of 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, crashing 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.
The crash also killed 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 with Tuesday’s crash. He was reportedly driving 110mph when he ‘T-boned’ Hudson’s vehicle
According to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, all four victims died as a result of “multiple blunt force injuries.”
Hudson’s children, Nolan and Charlotte, who were also in the van, suffered brain hemorrhages, internal injuries and broken bones and were taken to Harborview Medical Center.
Nolan was in critical condition Friday, while Charlotte was in serious condition in intensive care, according to spokeswoman Susan Gregg.
An adult who was in the third car that was hit in the crash suffered minor injuries.
Jones was treated for an internal injury that required surgery, as well as a broken leg and ribs. He has since been released.
The teen’s 2015 Audi A4 had been purchased just a month before the fatal collision. According to court documents, this was the third vehicle Jones had been involved in a speeding accident in the past 11 months.
Hudson, who led a homeschooling group, was driving the three children home Tuesday afternoon when she passed through the intersection and was boned by Jones, according to court documents.
The teenager had been driving erratically, speeding and ‘swimming around other traffic’. Data from his car showed that he was traveling at 180 km/h when he went through a red light at the intersection ‘at full throttle without braking’.
According to court documents, Tuesday’s pileup was the third speeding accident Jones has been involved in in the past 11 months.
Hudson is survived by her husband, Abe, and three children. Two of her children, 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” and noted that all four victims died instantly.
Matilda and Eloise Wilcoxson are survived by four siblings and a sister on the way.
Speaking to the Seattle Times, Rivka Mikkelsen Wilcoxson described her daughters as “inseparable.”
“I can’t talk about them in the past tense because I know they’re still there,” she said. “The only consolation is knowing they would love to be together.”
The grieving mother shared a selfie of the trio on Facebook and wrote: “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 the families affected by this tragedy,” the man wrote.
He described the little boy as “an exemplary son, brother and friend” and praised 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 drove the three children (photo: A memorial honoring the victims of the fatal crash)
All four victims were killed instantly when Jones crashed into Hudson’s van, prosecutors said, describing the crash as “incredibly violent.”
If total deaths rise above 825, 2023 will be 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 HOME 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, after two in 2023, according to data from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reported 809 traffic fatalities across the state in 2023 and continues to collect data.
If the total number of deaths exceeds 825, this will be the year with the highest number of road deaths since 1981.
“If you look at homicides, the most random types of homicides are vehicular homicides, not just in King County, but across the state of Washington,” Casey McNerthney of the King County Prosecutor’s Office told KIRO 7.
“Reckless driving is one of the charges that have been filed. And that is important to get before the judge.’
He added that the Public Prosecution Service established a crime traffic unit last year in response to the increase in cases.
Jones will be held on $1 million bail. His arraignment is scheduled for next month.