Girl, 15, killed in possible street race crash; driver injured

EVERETT, Wash. - A 15-year-old girl was killed early Saturday morning and her 18-year-old boyfriend was critically injured in a crash that witnesses said may have happened during a street race.

Police were dispatched to the scene, in the 800 block of East Marine View Drive in Everett, at about 12:45 a.m. after receiving 911 calls about cars racing northbound on the street.

When officers arrived they found a severely damaged 1994 Honda Civic that had lost control, gone airborne and struck a guardrail with two occupants inside, said Sgt. Robert Goetz of the Everett Police Department.

The driver, an 18-year-old male, and his passenger, a 15-year-old girl, were rushed to Providence Medical Center, where the girl was later pronounced dead.

Chianne Nguyen

According to the girl's family, the victim is 15-year old Chianne Nguyen, a Tulalip tribal member and part Vietnamese. She would have turned 16 this upcoming Thursday.

"She's a happy person, always smiling - brighten your day up," Zidalj Perez said. "Every time I close my eyes I can picture her smiling."

The 18-year-old driver, who has not been identified, was later transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he is listed in critical condition. Nguyen's family said he is her boyfriend.

The Everett Police Department Major Crimes Unit is investigating the crash, trying to figure out just how fast the car was going before it lost control.

Witnesses told police that the Honda Civic may have been racing with another vehicle at the time of the collision. The second vehicle, which didn't stop after the accident, was described as white or yellow in color, Goetz said.

An investigator gathers evidence at the scene of the deadly crash early Saturday.

David Taylor, who lives nearby, heard the crash early Saturday morning.

"I said to myself, 'Not another senseless injury.' But you know, that's the way we think of racing around here," Taylor said. "It's a senseless activity that doesn't need to happen."

An impromptu memorial of flowers, candles and balloons marks the spot where the crash happened.

Investigators were at the scene early Saturday collecting evidence. Police said it is too early in the investigation to say whether or not criminal charges will be filed in this case. So far, there have been no arrests or charges.

Anyone with information about this collision is encouraged to call the Everett Police Department TIP LINE at 425-257-8450.

"If in fact it was a street racing incident, then obviously we want to talk with the other folks involved," Goetz said. "It's very important for us to have a clear understanding of what happened last night."