RENTON, Wash. — Authorities said four people died, including three children, after an 18-year-old driver allegedly caused a multi-vehicle crash in Renton on Tuesday afternoon. Three other people were critically injured and an eighth person suffered minor injuries in the crash.
The crash involving four vehicles happened around 12:45 p.m. in the 19200 block of 140th Avenue Southeast on March 19, according to fire officials. The King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) identified a 38-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl, a 12-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy as the victims killed in the crash.
The King County Medical Examiner's Office identified Andrea Hudson, 38, as the mother who died in the crash. She was a mother of three, according to her sister Melanie Hanes. Two of Hudson's kids were also in the car at the time of the crash.
"She is the best person you could ever ask for in your life. She is very quiet, but is always like serving and doing kind things for people," said Hanes.
At the time of the crash, Hudson was picking the five kids up from a group class through a program for homeschooled kids and taking them home. Hanes said they often carpooled.
Two of Hudson's children who were in the crash, Charlotte and Nolan Hudson, are still in the ICU recovering from critical injuries.
"Nolan has a lot more broken bones," said Hanes. "They removed his spleen, and has a few - he's been in surgery once and they have a few more surgeries that they'll have to do."
From a separate family, two preteen girls who died in the crash were identified as Matilda, or "Tilly," and Eloise Wilcoxson. They were sisters.
A family friend from church, Cindi Samsel, described the girls as bright, sweet and kind. The pair were the oldest of six children.
"And you couldn't imagine a more loving and nurturing girls to be older siblings to their brothers and sisters, always taking care of them," said Samsel. "The whole situation is tragic. It's incomprehensible.”
Another 12-year-old boy in the van, from a third family, was killed, too. His uncle identified him as Boyd Buster Brown, who went by Buster. An online fundraiser set up to help support his family called Buster an "exemplary son, brother and friend," and an "avid violinist, athlete, and student."
"His passion for life, learning, and taking on new challenges was infectious to all who were fortunate enough to spend time with him. His family and friends will long mourn the hole his absence will undoubtedly leave in their lives," the fundraiser reads.
An 18-year-old man was identified by authorities as the causing driver on Wednesday, according to the KCSO. The 18-year-old was injured and is being treated at Harborview Medical Center, while criminal charges are pending.
'140th has turned into a raceway'
The KCSO said speed seems to have played a factor in the collision based on its initial investigation. The intersection was closed until just before 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
“Well, first of all, I would say – the first message is to hug your loved ones – and secondly, just make sure that when you are out and about – you’re very careful of your surroundings as you’re driving," said Pat Pawlak, Puget Sound division fire chief.
Puget Sound Fire, the Renton Regional Fire Authority and King County Medic One responded to the crash to provide aid to those injured.
Alexandria Madrid has lived just off 140th Ave her entire life and remembers a time when you could safely ride a horse to the local Safeway.
But she held a bouquet at a memorial Wednesday for the victims of the latest in a long line of fatal collisions.
Madrid said she saw the four-car collision while picking her daughter up from Kentridge High, and it took a while to make sense of what she was witnessing.
“We were trying to slowly trying to navigate our way through the intersection to not cause another accident,” Madrid said. “As I maneuvered around, I could really process what I was seeing in terms of the number of cars, and unfortunately quickly realized that I was actually witnessing a fatality accident.”
As a mother of three, Madrid said the sight of the collision was particularly jarring.
“That was hard to know that that could’ve easily have been them getting a ride from a family member or someone,” Madrid said. “That could’ve been me getting that phone call that my life is forever changed.”
As tragic as the collision was, Madrid has seen this before on 140th Avenue, just a few years ago.
“This is happening too frequently, it feels like 140th has turned into a raceway,” Madrid said. “Two summers ago, a little further down by Windham Ridge … an elderly couple lost their lives in I’m assuming a similar way, where speed was a factor.”
Madrid said motorists continue to speed along the roadway even after the collision. She said it’s a frustrating thing to witness, but she hopes this tragedy will convince people to speak up and slow down.
“It’s unfortunate when anyone loses their life, but children especially triggers something a little different in you, and I think people are ready to speak their voices and be heard and demand something different,” Madrid said. “I wanted to make sure that, because I saw what I saw, that I at least came and paid my respects.”
According to WSDOT data, this is the first serious car collision at this intersection in 2024, though two other crashes have occurred there.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reported 809 traffic fatalities last year in the state of Washington. However, they are still collecting data, so the total could rise.
If the total number of deaths climbs over 825, 2023 will be the year with the highest number of traffic fatality deaths since 1981.
Support for the families
Community and family members have quickly rallied to support the grieving families with online fundraisers. KING 5 has verified the following GoFundMe fundraisers, if you choose to donate by clicking the names below.
A fundraiser has also been set up to support the family of the other 12-year-old victim.