King County community advocates for improved road safety

On March 19, 2024, a tragic car crash in Fairwood, Washington, claimed the lives of four people, including three children. They were struck by a vehicle traveling at 112 miles per hour. The victims were Andrea Hudson, Buster Brown, and siblings Matilda and Eloise Wilcoxson. One year later, the impact of this tragedy lingers in the community. Family and friends remember the victims as bright individuals with promising futures. Jacqueline Robertson, a family friend, reflected on the crash's emotional toll. She honored the memory of the victims by placing flowers at the crash site. Robertson noted that the event deeply affected her son, who was close to Buster Brown. Since the accident, residents have expressed their frustration over road safety near the intersection where the crash occurred. King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn has responded by advocating for changes to improve safety. Speed limits on that stretch of road have been reduced from 40 to 35 miles per hour. Additional safety measures include pylons in the medians and speed radar signs. Dunn has plans to introduce roundabouts near the site of the crash to further enhance safety. He stated that a traffic study has provided recommendations for improvements that they intend to implement. While some community members appreciate these efforts, the families of the victims believe more is needed. Jaron Brown, Buster's father, emphasized the importance of personal responsibility on the roads. The Wilcoxson family shared their views on the changes, stating that while improvements are welcome, accountability for reckless driving is crucial. The driver involved in the crash, who survived, faces four counts of vehicular manslaughter, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for April 7.