KENT, Wash. — A man pleaded guilty Thursday to vehicular homicide in the death of a 12-year-old boy in Kent in 2023.
Carson Alexander Quinlin, 20, was under the influence of alcohol when he struck and killed pedestrian Gabriel Coury on July 11, 2023, according to Quinlin’s statement in the plea document.
Quinlin will be sentenced April 12.
The crash happened about 7 p.m. near the intersection of 132nd Avenue Southeast and Southeast 230th Street in Kent.
Quinlin told police he drove into the oncoming northbound lane to pass slower traffic, and he lost control of the pickup truck moving back into the southbound lanes. Quinlin drove onto the shoulder and hit Coury.
Coury was riding his scooter home from a friend's house when he was hit by Quinlin's truck and ejected onto the sidewalk.
At the time of the crash, Quinlin estimated he was traveling up to 60 miles per hour on a road with a posted speed limit of 35 mph, according to probable cause documents.
Quinlin told police he drank four Twisted Teas before driving and that he smoked marijuana earlier in the day.
Coury’s friends and family remembered him as a talented baseball player who was making the transition from Little League to competitive ball. His dad, Michael Coury, said his son was selfless, loving and kind.
His mom, Shellie Coury, said her son texted her before the crash, saying he was on his way home.
Quinlin was previously charged with reckless driving and a gun charge in addition to vehicular homicide. He originally pleaded not guilty to the charges in July 2023.
