The July two-car crash in Tacoma, Washington, that killed six Arizona residents will not result in criminal charges, according to Pierce County prosecutors.
First responders investigate a crash that killed six people and injured others in Tacoma, Washington, on Sunday, July 16, 2023. According to Pierce County prosecutors, no one will face criminal charges in connection with a two-car crash in Tacoma, Washington, that killed six Arizona citizens in July. (Source: Toronto Star)
Car Crash Killed 6 People in Washington
A three-month Washington State Patrol investigation into the July 15 incident between state Route 509 and Alexander Avenue found the Arizona residents’ vehicle ran a red light, the Tacoma News Tribune reported Thursday. According to charge decision documents, a westbound BMW SUV hit a Kia Forte vehicle carrying seven persons at the junction around 11 a.m. The Kia rolled 70 feet (21 meters) and caught fire after hitting a curb.
Five Kia passengers died at the spot, while a sixth died at St. Joseph Medical Centre. Phoenix man, the seventh occupant, survived with significant injuries but had no memory of the crash. The group went to Tacoma for an Amway convention, family members told the News Tribune. Felix Y Begay, 25, of Kayenta, Arizona, died, as did Cerra Corner, 19, of Phoenix, Lisa Esparza, 19, of Phoenix, Javan Runnels, 22, of Phoenix, Calsie Sockyma, 25, of Tuba City, Arizona, and Erick Tsosie, 25, of Kayenta.
Corner, Begay, Runnels, Sockyma, and Tsosie were unbuckled in the Kia’s backseat. The Phoenix man who survived was in the front passenger seat as Esparza drove. BMW driver and passenger, a 42-year-old Tacoma man and his 40-year-old wife, were unharmed. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Dasse said there was no proof the BMW driver intentionally endangered others. The incident was not vehicular homicide or assault, she claimed.
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