A 19-year-old man responsible for a devastating crash that killed four people and seriously injured two children has been sentenced to 210 months in prison.
Chase Daniel Jones, of Kent, received his sentence on April 25 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center. King County Superior Court Judge Mark Larrañaga handed down the decision after Jones pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault.
The deadly crash took place on March 19, 2024, when Jones, driving a blue Audi A4, was clocked at 112 miles per hour before running a red light and slamming into a minivan at the intersection of Southeast 192nd Street and 140th Avenue Southeast in the Cascade-Fairwood area of unincorporated King County.
Inside the beige Toyota Sienna were 38-year-old Andrea Hudson—who was driving—and five young passengers. Four people, including Hudson, died at the scene: 12-year-old Boyd “Buster” Brown, and 12-year-old Eloise and 13-year-old Matilda Wilcoxson. Hudson’s children, Nolan, 14, and Charlotte, 12, survived but suffered life-threatening injuries.
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The event data recorder retrieved from Jones’ vehicle confirmed he was driving at an extremely high speed and made no effort to brake before the collision. The Audi T-boned the minivan, causing it to roll and come to rest over 125 feet from the point of impact. The vehicle’s passenger area was crushed inward by nearly three feet, requiring emergency responders to cut the roof off to reach the victims.
Jones’ car continued traveling another 126 feet before crashing into a retaining wall and catching fire. A bystander was able to extinguish the flames. Authorities said Jones had been involved in two previous car accidents within the year, both reportedly linked to excessive speed.
Judge Larrañaga accepted a joint sentencing recommendation from prosecutors and the defense, who had agreed to the 210-month term. Although sentencing guidelines allowed for up to 23.5 years, Jones’ multiple charges—committed during the same incident—were ordered to run concurrently, as permitted under Washington law.
During the hearing, the judge acknowledged Jones’ youth and potential for growth, urging him to use this tragedy as a turning point. “Jones, you have extraordinary potential and drive to be the best version of yourself, and not only learn from this tragic event, but hopefully teach others well,” Larrañaga told him.
According to Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the sentencing reflects the maximum under the agreed terms based on Jones’ offender score, which was 10.
Authorities continue to emphasize the catastrophic consequences of reckless driving. The King County Sheriff’s Office called the crash one of the most violent they’ve seen in recent years.
