Tears, heartbreak at Chase Jones sentencing—teen in fatal Renton, WA crash
WA teen sentenced for killing 4 people in crash
Chase Jones, 19, was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for a crash in Renton's Fairwood neighborhood that killed four people, including three children.
KENT, Wash. - One by one, grieving family members stepped forward Friday to share the heartbreak left behind after a devastating crash that killed a mother and three children in Renton.
Their emotional testimony came just hours before 19-year-old Chase Jones was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for the March 2024 crash that changed their lives forever.
Jones was driving 112 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone when he slammed into the victims’ van, killing Andrea Hudson, 38, and three children: 13-year-old Matilda Wilcoxson, 12-year-old Eloise Wilcoxson and 12-year-old Boyd "Buster" Brown.
Four people were killed in a crash, including a mother and three children. Two other children were injured and taken to the hospital. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Families speak through tears
What they're saying:
The sentencing hearing was marked by powerful statements from parents, grandparents and Andrea’s husband, Abe, who described their ongoing grief and unimaginable loss.
"On March 19th, our world and the dream was shattered in an instant," said Abe Hudson.
He held back tears as he remembered the tragic crash.
"This pain and fear we still carry and feel every day," said Abe. "That month that followed was worse than any nightmare I could ever imagine."
Abe Hudson at Chase Jones' sentencing
They spoke of birthdays that will never be celebrated again, empty bedrooms and a silence in their homes that once rang with laughter.
The two surviving children in the van, Andrea’s son and daughter, were also critically injured. Family members said their lives will be forever impacted by physical and emotional trauma.
"Nolan will have to deal with the impacts of a compromised immune system and limited range of motion for the rest of his life. Charlotte, the impacts of a severe traumatic brain injury for the rest of her life," he said.
A short video played at the end of the testimony offered a glimpse into the victims’ lives before the crash — full of joy, laughter and love. It hardly left a dry eye in the courtroom.
Andrea’s mom noted that court records showed this was the third car that Jones had wrecked in a crash caused by speeding.
"I feel that if he maybe had been accountable in the earlier collisions maybe that would have helped him and prevented this terrible tragedy," she said.
Jones apologizes to victim's families
Jones had his attorney read a statement for him in court.
"I apologize for the unimaginable pain I caused your families," he said. "I used a pedal to put all my emotions into which turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life."
Tears streamed down Jones’ face as Andrea’s mom said despite the pain, she could find forgiveness in her heart.
19-year-old Chase Jones at sentencing
"I want to tell Chase Jones that I forgive him. In no way does this make the life of my daughter, Buster, Eloise or Matilda insignificant, but it helps me to have peace in my heart," she said.
Court documents and police reports revealed that Jones had totaled two other vehicles in the year leading up to the fatal crash. In both cases, his parents arrived before law enforcement.
Legal experts say his parents could face civil liability under negligent entrustment laws, particularly if they owned the Audi involved and allowed him to drive despite his record.
Crash data shows Jones never tried to brake before impact. Witnesses reported him speeding through a red light, and investigators later confirmed he was traveling at 112 mph at full throttle.
Jones sentenced to 17 years
The King County judge who sentenced Jones on Friday afternoon broke down in tears during his reaction to the emotional hearing.
"This is tough it’s tough for everybody in this courtroom," said the judge.
Prosecutors did not disclose their sentencing recommendation, but many in the courtroom Friday called for accountability. Ultimately, Jones received 17-and-a-half-year prison sentence. He faced up to 23 years in prison.
For those who lost so much, no sentence will undo the pain. Still, Friday’s hearing gave them a moment to speak their truth — and to remember four lives taken far too soon.
The Source: Information in this story came from courtroom testimony in the Chase Jones case.
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