The 18-year-old Rainier man accused of causing a two-vehicle crash in the 13800 block of Rainier Road Southwest in March that killed 17-year-old Rainier High School senior Jessie Uch has been arrested on vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and driving under the influence charges.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) announced Tuesday, June 20, that deputies arrested the man, whose name has not been released, on Thursday, June 15.
The crash itself occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. on March 4, according to the sheriff’s office.
The 18-year-old driver was reportedly traveling north when he lost control of the vehicle on a curve and entered the oncoming lane. His vehicle was struck on the passenger side of the southbound vehicle and the impact killed Uch, who was the passenger, according to the sheriff’s office.
The driver of the southbound vehicle, a 24-year-old Rainier woman, was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The 18-year-old driver was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital and then transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for medical treatment.
“TCSO takes on the financial responsibility for the medical costs of those taken into custody, and our jail cannot provide medical care. Due to these factors, no arrest was made despite probable cause at the time,” the sheriff’s office stated Tuesday.
Since the crash in March, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol have processed evidence surrounding the collision, including reconstruction efforts and lab analysis of blood, according to the news release.
“Although alcohol was suspected based on witness statements at the scene, there was no alcohol in his blood,” the sheriff’s office stated.
However, a lab analysis conducted by Washington State Patrol’s crime lab revealed “additional evidence,” including the presence of 4.7 ng/ml of THC in the suspect’s blood, according to the news release.
The legal limit for a person under the age of 21 is 0.0 ng/ml.
“As we mourn the loss of life, we remind everyone never to operate a vehicle under the influence of any intoxicating substance,” the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office stated in the news release.
Uch was a member of the Rainier High School class of 2023, which graduated in a ceremony on Saturday, June 10.
“As the principal of Rainier Middle School and Rainier High School, I can assure everyone that the entire school community stands ready to provide the social emotional support to get us through such a difficult time,” Rainier High School Principal John Beckman stated in a letter to the Rainier community in the days following Uch’s death in March.
A lighted vigil held in Uch’s honor a few days after her death brought hundreds of community members together in the Rainier High School gym, where they shared stories about the impact she had on their lives.
“Jessie was enthused about living life to the fullest. She was not shy about making sure others are happy,” Uch’s father, Sopheak Uch, told The Nisqually Valley News at the March 8 vigil. “She loved to be there for those who wanted her to be there, even for those who didn’t want it, or those who didn’t know they were in need of a smile.”
At Rainier High School’s graduation ceremony on Friday, June 9, an empty chair sat in honor of Uch, with a graduation cap on it. The commencement also included a moment of silence in her honor.
When Uch’s name was read along with the rest of the graduating seniors, the crowd responded with a large applause.
The Nisqually Valley News’ previous article on that vigil can be read online at https://www.yelmonline.com/stories/vigil-held-in-honor-of-rainier-high-school-senior-jessie-uch,315168.
A month-long GoFundMe to support Uch’s family raised a total of $24,787. New donations are currently disabled.
