RENTON, Wash. — The bail for a defendant accused of causing a car crash that killed one woman and three children in Renton was reduced to $100,000, with pre-trial conditions, at an arraignment hearing on Monday
The bail amount struck some as low given the magnitude of the alleged crime.
The defendant, identified as 18-year-old Chase Jones, is accused of causing a car crash, which took the lives of Andrea Hudson, 38, Buster Brown, 12, and Matilda and Eloise Wilcoxson, 12 and 13, at a Renton intersection in March. Two other children, Noah and Charlotte Hudson, are recovering from their injuries at Harborview Medical Center.
Court documents allege that Jones was going more than 100 miles per hour while approaching the intersection where the crash took place, drove through a red light and t-boned Hudson's car. Investigators say there were no signs that Jones made any attempt to hit the brakes.
The defendant has a history of collisions involving high speeds. Court documents noted that he totaled two cars in the 11 months before the fatal Renton collision, including one crash in January of this year.
Jones' bail was originally set at $1 million when the case was first filed in court.
A defense attorney argued for release of Jones on his own personal recognizance, saying that he has broken arms and legs and would not be able to operate a motor vehicle in his current state. The defendant was also prepared to surrender his driver's license for the duration of the court proceedings. Counsel noted this is also the defendant's first experience with the criminal justice system.
King County Felony Traffic Crime Prosecutor Amy Freedheim argued that there was some concern that Jones could be a flight risk considering the "enormous" sentence he could face if found guilty for the charges: four counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular assault and one count of reckless driving. She felt that some bail was appropriate, noting that she learned the family would be able to afford a $100,000 bond. She also asked for electronic home detention as soon as Jones was released from the hospital.
At Monday's hearing, Judge Johanna Bender decided against releasing the suspect without bail, but did agree to lower the amount, citing Washington court law. Washington is a right-to-bail state and generally prioritizes release of the accused before trial, barring specific circumstances. Bender acknowledged that, although Jones had a concerning pattern of high-speed car accidents, he was not cited for either crash and therefore had no criminal history. The court would have no basis to believe that he would violate court orders or fail to appear for future hearings.
The bail would also allow Jones' parents to see him while he recovers in the hospital, which they have not yet been able to do as he is currently in the custody of King County Corrections.
The judge reiterated her concern with Jones' previous history of recklessness and did move to impose conditions on his ability to drive. When Jones is discharged from the hospital, he will be required to remain on electronic home monitoring and he will not be allowed to operate any vehicle, motorized or otherwise, including skateboards and bicycles.
"If it has wheels, you can't operate it," Bender instructed.
The parents of Matilda and Eloise Wilcoxson and Buster Brown appeared at the hearing via Zoom to address the court. The families, who have already extended Jones their forgiveness, described their desire for his healing but also to see him take accountability for his actions.
"I want the best for Chase and I also want the best for the safety of our community," said Rivka Wilcoxson, the mother of Matilda and Eloise. "I know that accountability is important and that something like this needs to have consequences attached to it."
The parents of Buster, Jessica and Jaron Brown, said they wished for Jones' family to be able to see him while he recovers, but that they would like for him to remain in jail when he is discharged from the hospital.
"These trials take a long time," Jaron Brown said. "His arms and legs will heal and then he'll be basically free after allegedly killing four people. That doesn't seem right to me."