Crime & Safety
Teen Dies After High Speed Crash Into Lawn Near Graham
A 17-year-old driver from Orting will face charges of vehicular homicide after he drove his car off the road, killing an 18-year-old male passenger.
A 18-year-old Graham resident is dead and the 17-year-old driver from Orting was arrested after crashing his vehicle at a high rate of speed on Highway 161 and 238th Street early this morning.
The 17-year-old is expected to face charges of vehicular homicide for causing the crash.
According to WSP Trooper Guy Gill, the driver was traveling down SR 161 just after midnight at speeds up to 85 mph when he lost control, at 238th Street. The car rolled off the road onto a private yard and one passenger was ejected.
Zachary Statezni, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing his seatbelt, according to the collision report. The driver and another 17-year-old passenger were transported to a nearby hospital for injuries.
The cause of this accident is still under investigation by the Washington State Patrol and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor at this time.
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