WSP: Drunk driver's 9-year-old nephew critically injured in crash
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PURDY, Wash. - A 9-year-old boy was critically injured early Saturday when his uncle, a 26-year-old Gig Harbor man, veered off the highway and crashed early Saturday while drunk and stoned on marijuana, the Washington State Patrol reported.
The uncle and the nephew were both ejected from the car as it flipped over and crashed in the early morning darkness. The boy was rushed to Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma, where he was listed in critical condition. The uncle was taken to Tacoma General Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.
A 9-year-old girl, identified as the boy's sister and the driver's niece, was riding in the back seat of the car. She was wearing a seat belt and was unhurt in the crash.
State troopers and medics responded to the scene, the westbound lanes of Highway 16 at the Purdy Drive exit, at about 1:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a serious crash.
Arriving at the crash scene, they found the 9-year-old boy clinging to life after being ejected from the car.
"It was absolutely horrible," said Trooper Guy Gill of the State Patrol.
A preliminary investigation found that the driver, identified as Jayce L. Randall, 26, of Gig Harbor, was driving west on Highway 16 in a blue 1990 Acura Integra just before the crash.
The girl told troopers that she and her brother were screaming at the uncle to slow down as he drove from Gig Harbor toward Purdy.
The driver veered off the roadway to the right at the Purdy Drive exit and flipped over, ejecting the 9-year-old boy and driver, who were both riding in the front seat, the State Patrol reported.
The driver's blood-alcohol level was found to be more than twice the legal limit, Gill said. Randall also admitted he had been using marijuana before the crash, and a large amount of marijuana was found in the car, Gill said.
He said Randall is considered to be under arrest for investigation of vehicular assault. If the boy dies, Randall faces a possible vehicular homicide charge.
"Kids are resilient - hopefully he will pull through," Gill said.
The children's grandfather said Randall was bringing the kids to their grandparents' home to spend the night and were set to spend Saturday at the movies.
The uncle and the nephew were both ejected from the car as it flipped over and crashed in the early morning darkness. The boy was rushed to Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma, where he was listed in critical condition. The uncle was taken to Tacoma General Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.
A 9-year-old girl, identified as the boy's sister and the driver's niece, was riding in the back seat of the car. She was wearing a seat belt and was unhurt in the crash.
State troopers and medics responded to the scene, the westbound lanes of Highway 16 at the Purdy Drive exit, at about 1:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a serious crash.
Arriving at the crash scene, they found the 9-year-old boy clinging to life after being ejected from the car.
"It was absolutely horrible," said Trooper Guy Gill of the State Patrol.
A preliminary investigation found that the driver, identified as Jayce L. Randall, 26, of Gig Harbor, was driving west on Highway 16 in a blue 1990 Acura Integra just before the crash.
The girl told troopers that she and her brother were screaming at the uncle to slow down as he drove from Gig Harbor toward Purdy.
The driver veered off the roadway to the right at the Purdy Drive exit and flipped over, ejecting the 9-year-old boy and driver, who were both riding in the front seat, the State Patrol reported.
The driver's blood-alcohol level was found to be more than twice the legal limit, Gill said. Randall also admitted he had been using marijuana before the crash, and a large amount of marijuana was found in the car, Gill said.
He said Randall is considered to be under arrest for investigation of vehicular assault. If the boy dies, Randall faces a possible vehicular homicide charge.
"Kids are resilient - hopefully he will pull through," Gill said.
The children's grandfather said Randall was bringing the kids to their grandparents' home to spend the night and were set to spend Saturday at the movies.
Wow, what kind of parent(s) lets their children climb into a car with anyone, regardless of relation, who has been obviously drinking quite a bit, combined with smoking weed? I'm sorry this little boy lost his life due to the extremely poor decisions of two people who's #1 priority should've been his safety and well-being
From Jayce's facebook page on Friday night:
"Had a good time tonight, one of the first times I got to actually just party with the crew!!! Shout to The Misfit Nicholas Mitchell!!! #1stshow #turntup"
Clearly, he was having a ball before he decided to go on a murderous car ride and kill an innocent little boy.
This is really sad. There is nothing worse than parents losing their child. Speeding, drunk and stoned. With marijuana now legal, there will be more of this sort of thing. I would hate to be the uncle.Â
I cannot believe some of the things you people are saying. The mother is devastated. You have some nerve ridiculing and talking smack. I am a friend of the families. They lost a precious little one last night and the majority of you are just talking smack. How dare you. For those of you who send their condolences thank you very much. I am sure the family appreciates that. ~Rest In Peace Donovan Best~ You will be greatly missed.
Ok so the family pulls the plug and the boy died last night. The Uncle will get charged with Vehicular Homicide. The family is asking for money. WTF? Somebody in the "Family" let the kids go with the Uncle....Yes I will give you money to enable you perhaps letting your Daughter get in a car with a drunk relative in the future.
God Bless you little man. You did not deserve this.....be at Peace
I am so sorry precious little man that someone you loved so much abused you in this horrid way and your beautiful life has now ended. I am sure that nothing the State of WA , Dept. of Corrections can do to this man will punish him more than he is going to punish himself. However, he still needs to be punished by the law. What he did was a choice - and it was wrong. I am sure everyone involved would give anything to go back a few hours and not allow these kids in this car with this man. He is not a monster, but he is a selfish, stupid person.
I have heard on another station that this little man has died as a result of his injuries. Thoughts and prayers to all.
My son is in the same ICU with the little boy. My prayers are with the family and little Donovan. So tragic and senseless.
I just read the boyâs folks are getting ready to pull the plug.If the next test shows no brain activity, I am afraid the poor kid is gone. 9 years old and almost his whole life ahead, just wiped out.It just makes me sick.
As the driver was TWICE the legal alcohol limit I seriously doubt that pot made this situation any worse, he shouldnt have been in the car period. They are now saying the 9 year old boy might not make it now that his body is shutting down (from King5). Such a tragedy I really feel for the family.
@Seattlites, the pot obviously didn't make the situation any better. If the effects of marijuana are so negligible then why do people smoke it?
Just watched the video clip.Breaks my heart!!!! Sitting here with tears in my eyes.C'mon lil buddy FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!!!!!
We've heard these stories time and time again. Nothing happens but a slap on the wrist. Yes our laws suck. We all might as well "copy and paste" our comments and save them in a Word Document. Next article about a Drunk Driver we just "copy and paste" our comments here.     Â
Again, some selfish SOB thinks they have the right to go out there and put everyone at risk, including a child in his car, just because he CHOOSES to drink and drive. Â The laws need to be toughened considerably. Â People like him have murdered too many innocent people and it needs to stop. They need to pay for the choices they make with some serious jail time -- even for a first offense. Other countries that do have tough laws do not have a problem with a bunch of stupid drunks on the roads ---- hmmm, go figure. Â I am praying for that little boy. Â I hope he's ok. As far as that POS uncle of his, he can rot in hell for all I Â care.
I heard a rumor that if a death occurs because of DUI the driver gets minimum 5 years, thought they were trying to pass a law about that.
@Seattlites That just seems like such a light sentence to me...
I agree, something is better than nothing.
I'm sorry for these kids and wished they had more people in their life that would have made their uncle say out of their lives. He is no role model and certainly not responsible. Hope this little boy pulls through and glad his sister is OK.
Why did he have possession of these kids in the first place? Â
Telling us that he was taking them to their grandparents house is great, but it doesn't explain why he had them in the first place.
Who allowed him to take possession of these kids and when?Â
He had to been ALREADY drinking to be over TWICE the limit?????? And he showed no signs of being intoxicated when he picked up the kids???And using drugs too.... POS!!!!!!!!
@2ndstartothenorth Perhaps he picked up the kids before deciding to get smashed.......
Whatever the case may be, I hope they throw the book at him...
@2ndstartothenorth I'm certainly with you there! I really hope this little boy pulls through and recovers fully.
1:30am in the morning!!!! I'll bet he was already drinking!!
@2ndstartothenorth That is when they arrived at the scene of the accident, it never states when he picked up the kids, at least I couldnt determine that from the article, only that he was supposed to be taking the kids to their grandparents. Hey, I'm not saying this guy isnt a complete and utter failure, just that we dont know when he picked up the kids and when he decided to get smashed, before or after getting the kids.Â
if self breath tests were available like sun glass, i bet alot of people would use and respect them and be thankful for them.
The POS belongs behind bars. What kind of mother or father would let their kids ride with this POS
@my2cents Lots of people, they think it is funny or that its no big deal and most people are scared to take their keys if they insist they are ok.
@my2cents Don't get critical of the parents, there's nothing in this story yet to suggest they had any idea that he was going to be driving after drinking and smoking. They might not even have known that he drank or smoked. He was family and they probably feel awful and betrayed right now that he would endanger and harm their children like this, and devastated by the harm that has come to their family.Â
well we know this guy is a real pile of poo but DO NOT forget the mom who allowed this guy to do this in the first place. She had to know full well what was going on and knew this guy is worthless so she is also to blame for allowing this looser to take the kids while in his current state and at that time of the day.
@vampiregoat69Â Do you know the mom? Â Do you have knowledge that the media is not releasing regarding the mother and whether or not she knew her brother/brother-in-law was driving her kids around while intoxicated? Â Do you know everything your family members are doing 24/7 or have ever done in their lives?
@jb_22Â @vampiregoat69Â Go look at his facebook page, pretty sure the answer to your question can be answered there. It may take a bit of time, but yes usually you become aware of family and friends with substance abuse issues.
I didnt see a facebook page.
@vampiregoat69 Birds of a feather flock together........ A couple of poo birds for sure!
Prayers to this family. Â I sure hope this boy makes it. Â It should be the uncle clinging to life, not this innocent child. Â If he had done this to my young son he would certainly be clinging to life if he was lucky. Â And apparently the kids were screaming for him to slow down. Â This guy needs to be removed from society and put away for a long, long time.
Prayers for the little boy. As for Jayce, it should have been you not the boy.Â
model citizen this one... honestly I hope the idiot gets locked up for life or simply put down  because he honestly looks like a real pointless sort of person to me... what a ugly dude... Whoever the hell Tom hutch is looks like a equally wasted sole... maybe we can find a two for one and get them both locked up permenantly?https://www.facebook.com/jayce.randall?fref=ts
@Freespeech Looking at this guy's facebook, he openly admits of drinking and smoking that "good kush". What a jerk! I really hope the 9 year old boy pulls through. My thoughts & prayers are with the boy, his sister and the family.
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Checked out his FB page, what a nasty creep. I feel like I need to wash my eyes out now. I hope the little boy survives and this ignorant SOB goes to jail. I also hope the kid's parents have learned a lesson about who to trust with their children in the future.
There will always be people that do this. There's just no getting around it. One of life's greatest ongoing tragedies.Â
Jayce Randall
December 15, 2010
"Happy Birthdy Donovan (my nephew)!!!! turned 7 today!!!! time to party hard!!!"
Let's hope he sees his 10th birthday.
@PlentyOfTime So he parties on demand, guess it finally caught up with him.
And where were the poor kids' parents in all of this? Who let's a pair of 9 year olds ride around at 1:30 AM with anybody? I just hope that the young boy survives.
"I hope all bad things in the world happend to you and only you! hate hate hate hate hate!!!!"Â Jayce L. Randall's favorite quote from his Facebook page.
Hmm...hopefully Randall will have a police guard because I have to be honest and say if that was my brother who almost killed my kids like that I might accidentally stand on his oxygen tube while visiting him.
@cm257n7Â You probably wouldn't let your kids go riding around with their slacker uncle.
@Pollywannacracker @cm257n7 Excellent point
My my my when does it end? So many selfish self serving people in this world.
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@komonews SPAM ALERT! SPAM ALERT! SPAM ALERT!Â
Take a look at the last post he made on Facebook.
@pixie64Â Saw that too. Winner. :/Â
@Jen_LÂ @pixie64 Actually a few of his post are very telling, and ironic. What a tool.
@pixie64Â @Jen_L Would it be bad if I posted what a loser he is????? Or do you think they know it now....