SEATTLE — The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said it's seeing an alarming increase in traffic deaths and serious crashes.
Prosecutors said it's the most dangerous time on record to be driving on King County roads. That means more families are dealing with loss.
"There's no closure, really; they just gave me a body, and I had to bury my son, and that was it," said Arletha Calloway, whose son was killed in a deadly hit-and-run crash.
Calloway is calling for more answers and justice after her son Terrell Aaron and his cousin Skyler Thornton were both killed in February 2023. They were stopped along Interstate 5 after a minor accident and were hit by a car that then took off.
Antonio Lopez is accused of being behind the wheel that hit them and is charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and felony hit and run.
"It's almost like they died in vain for no reason," Calloway said.
The KCPAO is seeing a surge in these cases.
"In May of 2024, our felony traffic unit prosecutors had a 143% increase in caseload compared to before the pandemic," said Douglas Wagoner, a King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office spokesperson.
All of those are felony traffic crimes, which include vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, felony DUI, and deadly hit and run.
Last year, King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion formed its felony traffic unit with specialized prosecutors to handle these serious cases.
"In 2022, more people died from driving than from firearm homicide in King County to put into perspective why it's so important to have this dedicated team," Wagoner said.
Data shows that 2022 marked a record high in King County, with 151 traffic fatalities, a 94% increase since 2013. 2022 also had a more than 500% increase in serious injury crashes in the county.
"People's lives are changed forever. Family, friends losing loved ones never to return and experiencing levels of injury that will change your life forever," Wagoner said.
Prosecutors also noted the impacts of traffic fatalities are not equitable across race and ethnicity in the county.
Key contributing factors for the increase are people driving under the influence, not wearing a seatbelt and more drivers hitting pedestrians and cyclists.
Meanwhile, Calloway is leaning on her faith, family and the good memories of her son.
"He had a knack for making people feel better, cheering them up. He was just a ray of sunshine. I believe in my heart, one day we'll meet again," Calloway said.