A Washington teenager is accused of killing three children and a woman in a horrific multi-car collision, marking his third speeding accident in the last year.
The King County Prosecutor’s Office charged Chase Jones, 18, with four counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of vehicular assault and one count of reckless driving following Tuesday’s crash.
Jones was allegedly traveling 112 mph when he collided with a pickup truck near the intersection of South 192nd Street and 140th Avenue South in Renton, resulting in a three-car crash.
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 are tempted to speed up, think of Andrea. When you are tempted to reach for your phone while driving, think of my beautiful daughters, Matilda and Eloise. When you try to shine the light, remember Buster Brown.
Andrea Hudson, 38, was carpooling with five children, including two of her own, when another car ran a red light at an intersection, crashing into her truck and killing her instantly.
Among the victims were sisters Eloise and Matilda Wilcoxson, aged 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 manslaughter, vehicular assault and reckless driving in connection with Tuesday’s crash. He was allegedly going 112 mph when he struck 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 hemorrhages, internal injuries and broken bones and were 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 who was in the third vehicle that was hit in the collision 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.
He had purchased the teenager’s 2015 Audi A4 just a month before the fatal collision. According to court documents, it was the third vehicle Jones had destroyed in a speeding accident in the past 11 months.
Hudson, who was leading a homeschooling group, was taking the three children home Tuesday afternoon when she passed the intersection and Jones struck her, according to court documents.
The teen had been driving erratically, speeding and “dodging other traffic.” Data from his car showed he was traveling 112 mph when he ran a red light at the intersection “at full speed without braking.”
According to court documents, Tuesday’s multi-car crash 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, Nolan, 14, and Charlotte, 12, were in the truck at the time of the accident 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 brothers and 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 still exist,” he said. “The only consolation is that I know they would want 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 of 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 disappeared from the world in an instant and we mourn 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 lucky enough to spend time with him. “His family and friends will long mourn the hole that his absence will undoubtedly leave in their lives,” Buster’s uncle wrote.
Hudson is survived by her husband, Abe, and her children, Nolan, 14, Charlotte, 12, and Jude, 8.
The family is accepting donations on GoFundMe for Andrea’s children’s hospital bills and funeral.
Hudson led a homeschool group and drove the three children (pictured: a memorial honoring the victims of the fatal crash)
All four victims were killed instantly when Jones crashed into Hudson’s truck, prosecutors said, describing the crash as “incredibly violent.”
If the total number of deaths exceeds 825, 2023 will become the year with the highest number of traffic deaths 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 crash 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 deaths statewide in 2023 and continues to accumulate data.
If the total number of deaths exceeds 825, it will become the year with the highest number of traffic deaths since 1981.
“When you look at homicide cases, the most random types of homicides are vehicular homicides, not just in King County, but throughout the state of Washington,” Casey McNerthney with the County Attorney’s Office told KIRO 7. of King.
‘Reckless driving is one of the charges that were filed. And it is important to present that question before the court.”
He added that the prosecutor’s office created a serious traffic crimes 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.