SEATTLE — Chase Jones, who has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide for killing four people, including three young kids, will be sentenced today.
On March 19, 2024, Jones was driving 112 miles per hour at the intersection of S 192nd St. and 140th Ave S in Renton when he crashed into a van.
The crash killed Buster Brown, 12, Eloise Wilcoxson, 12, Matilda Wilcoxson, 13, and Andrea Hudson, 38.
Two other children in the van had life-altering injuries and one adult minor injuries.
“There are no words to express the grief, the pain that we feel. Four bright lights are missing from the world and it feels cold and dark,” said Chase Wilcoxson, the father of two children killed following the crash. “The wounds that we feel will eventually heal, but the scars will remain for the rest of our lives.”
According to court documents in the case, this was the third vehicle that Jones had totaled in a speeding crash in the last 11 months.
He was 18 at the time of the deadly crash.
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Jones unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty earlier in April.
He has pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault.
Wilcoxson spoke with KIRO 7 on Thursday after the plea announcement, and he said:
“I take no pleasure in his or his family’s pain. Taking responsibility and being held accountable is a necessary step for Chase Jones and for our community. I pray for him and invite everyone to do the same.”
Vehicular homicide is class A felony, which carries a life sentence. However, sentencing in Washington is mandated according to the sentencing grid set by state lawmakers – and standard range penalties are very different than the maximum.
“Statewide sentencing ranges are determined by an offender score, which can be based on previous criminal history and the current offenses. Chase Jones had no traffic infraction history and had no pending charges at the time of this crash. His convictions as charged today give him an offender score of 10,” said the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
His sentencing is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Impacts of the crash
HB 1596 – also called the Andrea Smith Hudson Act in memory of one of the victims in this crash – is a bill making its way through the Washington State Legislature right now. The bill addresses speeding drivers and importantly will mandate the use of intelligent speed accessory devices that are akin to ignition interlock devices for alcohol impairment. These devices would limit a driver from going more than 10 mph over any posted speed limit. Virginia became the first state to mandate this safety item, and King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion is hopeful this bill will help reduce speed-related crashes and serious injuries.
Part of Jones’ plea includes his agreement to require a speed-limiting device on any vehicle he drives in the future.
HB 1596 passed the State House last month and had a hearing Monday in the Senate’s Committee on Transportation. Andrea Hudson’s father testified in the House and Senate Public Hearings. Amy Freedheim, Chair of the Felony Traffic Unit and one of the prosecutors on Jones’ case, helped shape the Bill and testified in support.
Since this tragedy, many who live near the intersection have voiced outrage to King County leadership about how dangerous that stretch of road can be for everyone.
Councilmember Reagan Dunn represents the district where the crash happened and has spearheaded many efforts to find ways to improve road safety. He told KIRO 7 that they have reduced the speed on that stretch of road from 40 to 35 mph, added pylons in the medians, and placed at least five radars tracking people’s speed.
He says he also plans to introduce the idea of putting roundabouts near the intersection where the crash happened, too.
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