Puyallup, Washington – Authorities have officially identified 19-year-old Jaziel Zepeda as one of the two victims in a fatal crash that occurred on Canyon Road and 160th Street in Puyallup. The tragic incident took place on August 14, involving a high-speed collision between a white BMW, driven by Zepeda, and a Mercedes sedan.
According to reports, Jaziel Zepeda was traveling northbound on Canyon Road East when he ran a red light and collided with the Mercedes, driven by 21-year-old Elijah Williams, who was attempting to turn left onto the southbound lane. The impact of the crash was so severe that both vehicles were immediately engulfed in flames.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Zepeda’s BMW racing other cars on Canyon Road prior to the collision, with one 911 caller estimating the car’s speed at an astonishing 130 miles per hour. Authorities, including Sgt. Darren Moss, noted that no skid marks were found at the scene, suggesting that Zepeda did not attempt to brake before the crash.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office has stated that while Williams’ cause of death has been confirmed as blunt trauma and classified as accidental, Zepeda’s cause of death remains under investigation, pending further tests and information.
Elijah Williams, remembered as a kind and loving individual, has had a GoFundMe campaign established to assist his family with funeral expenses.
This tragic accident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the devastating consequences it can have on multiple lives.