Olympia police arrested a 21-year-old man on July 9, on two counts of vehicular homicide, exactly one year after a crash near Capitol Lake killed two pedestrians from Olympia and Tumwater.

Officers took the man into custody at approximately 2 p.m. in the 200 block of Sherman Street Northwest, according to Thurston County jail records and Superior Court filings.

The charges stem from a July 9, 2025, collision at Fifth Avenue and Simmons Street that sent a Lexus GS 350 careening onto the sidewalk, striking and killing 71-year-old Joy Ezindu of Tumwater and 62-year-old Carla Gonzales of Olympia.

Both women died from multiple blunt-force injuries, Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock confirmed in July 2025.

What the evidence shows

Airbag recording devices recovered from the Lexus revealed the car was traveling 41 mph through the intersection with no recorded braking, according to court records. The posted speed limit at that location is 25 mph.

Court records state that "throttle input was sustained and increased immediately prior to impact."

The Lexus collided with a Ford F-150 pickup at the intersection. The force of the crash pushed the car onto the sidewalk where Ezindu and Gonzales were walking. Both drivers remained at the scene and cooperated with police.

Why charges took a year

In July 2025, Olympia police Lt. Paul Lower said the investigation was weeks away from resolution because some evidence needed to be sent to outside labs for evaluation. That analysis, including the airbag data extraction, ultimately took approximately one year.

In June 2026, the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office issued a summons ordering the suspect to appear in court at 10 a.m. July 7, for attorney appointment and arraignment. He failed to appear. A bench warrant was issued, and police arrested him two days later.

Bail and next steps

The suspect appeared in Thurston County Superior Court on July 10, where bail was set at $25,000. He is no longer in custody, according to jail records, indicating he posted bail.

An omnibus hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 29, in Thurston County Superior Court. At that hearing, the court will confirm whether discovery is complete, pre-trial motions are resolved, and the defendant's plea is unchanged. If all matters are settled, a trial date will be set.

What vehicular homicide means under Washington law

Under RCW 46.61.520, vehicular homicide is a Class A felony. A driver is guilty if a death results within three years from operating a vehicle in a reckless manner, while under the influence, or with disregard for the safety of others.

Sentencing guidelines for a first-time offender range from 15 to 20 months for disregard-for-safety cases, though the Class A felony classification carries a statutory maximum of life in prison and fines up to $50,000.

The specific subsection under which the 21-year-old was charged has not been made public.