A 33-year-old SeaTac man, accused of driving 111 mph in Kent prior to hitting another vehicle and killing a passenger, pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular homicide and reckless driving.
Jose Luis Lopez Garcia entered the plea Nov. 21 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. He is scheduled to return to court Dec. 4 for a hearing.
As of Wednesday, Nov. 27, Lopez Garcia remained in custody at the Maleng Regional Justice Center with bail set at $100,000, according to jail records.
Lopez Garcia is accused of impaired driving when he crashed into another vehicle at about 11:30 p.m. Nov. 4 in the 24200 block of Pacific Highway South on the West Hill, according to charging documents.
Mellissa Luangsrinhotha, 38, died of multiple blunt force injuries in the crash, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office. She died at the scene. A memorial service was held Nov. 23 for Luangsrinhotha at Marlatt Funeral Home in Kent.
According to charging documents, Lopez Garcia was driving a 2016 Buick Regal northbound on Pacific Highway South. At the same time, a Tacoma man was driving a 2000 Ford Taurus with Luangsrinhotha in the passenger seat. The Tacoma man attempted to make a U-turn to go northbound from a left turn lane.
Lopez Garcia was reportedly speeding northbound at 111 mph when he slammed into the passenger side of the Taurus, according to charging papers.
Witnesses saw Lopez Garcia exit the driver’s side of the Buick and reportedly throw an empty 32-ounce can of Corona into the bushes. Witnesses did not observe any other occupants in the Buick.
When law enforcement arrived, Lopez Garcia claimed he was driving southbound, which was incorrect based on the witness statements and physical evidence observed at the scene. Lopez Garcia then claimed that the other driver had turned in front of him and he could not avoid a collision. Further, the defendant admitted to drinking earlier in the day, which was corroborated by the odor of intoxicants on his breath, his bloodshot watery eyes, and unsteadiness on his feet, according to charging documents.
When asked by a Kent Police officer if he had been drinking, Lopez Garcia reportedly replied that he had drank earlier in the day but not recently. Lopez Garcia then declined to answer anymore questions.
The defendant’s blood was collected pursuant to a search warrant and those toxicology results are currently pending.
Crash data analysis showed the Buick’s speed 5 seconds prior to the crash was approximately 111 mph, and the speed of the Buick .05 seconds prior to the crash was 98 mph. The posted speed limit is 45 mph.
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