0.170 BAC: Prosecutors Charge Second Driver in Federal Way Fatal Crash

King County prosecutors have charged a 20-year-old man with vehicular homicide, adding a second defendant to the case involving the fatal collision that killed a local high school student. The new charge follows the earlier indictment of Roberto Chris Emory, 29, who remains jailed on a bond of $200,000.

The crash occurred at 10:45 p.m. on Friday, October 23, at the intersection of Pacific Highway South and South 304th Street. Court documents state that Emory, driving a Ford F-150, was executing a left turn when a Lexus entered the carpool lane without signaling. The Lexus was traveling at more than 85 mph in a zone limited to 45 mph. The driver swerved to avoid the truck but did not brake before the vehicles collided.

The impact spun Emory's truck 180 degrees and pushed the Lexus onto the southwest sidewalk. The car struck Dee-Jay Tuiasosopo, 16, who was standing near the curb. The force of the collision threw the teen approximately 121 feet. He died from his injuries at the scene.

Emory remained at the scene where officers noted a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Empty containers of Hurricane IPA were found around his vehicle. A preliminary breath test recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.170 percent. Emory told police he had consumed one tall can of the beer. The Lexus driver also stayed at the scene and was later taken to a hospital for possible injuries.

Tuiasosopo was a student-athlete at Federal Way High School. He had played in a football game located one block away earlier that evening. More than 100 people gathered at the intersection over the weekend for a community vigil. His family stated that his infectious presence reached far beyond their own expectations, noting that the tragedy revealed just how many lives he had touched.

Prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant for the Lexus driver with a proposed bail of $200,000. Police have not yet arrested the second suspect as of Tuesday, October 28.