16-year-old killed after car wraps around tree in Puyallup has been identified
A 16-year-old boy died early Tuesday after losing control of a car while returning with his friends from a party, Puyallup police said.
The boy has been identified as Diego Villegas, a student at Rogers High School.
Police say Villegas passed another vehicle in the 1900 block of West Stewart Avenue, lost control and slammed into a tree.
Villegas’ vehicle appeared to be traveling at 80-85 mph at the time of the 1:30 a.m. wreck, police said.
Three other boys, who ranged in age from 16 to 17, were in Villegas’ vehicle and sustained injuries, said Capt. Ryan Portmann of the Puyallup Police Department.
Two of them attend Puyallup High School, the other goes to Orting High, Portmann said.
All four were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center, where Villegas died.
The New Level fitness center in Puyallup posted a message about Villegas on its Facebook page Tuesday.
“Our baseball family and community suffered a tragic loss this morning,” it said. “Please keep Diego’s family and friends in your prayers.”
A vigil for Villegas is set for 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Rogers High baseball field, according to the post.
The three passengers are expected to survive.
Portmann said the four were returning from a party at another teenager’s home at the time of the fatal wreck. The parents of the teenagers hosting the party were unaware of the gathering, Portmann said.
A bottle of alcohol was found at the scene of the wreck.
It is against the law for 16-year-old drivers to have passengers under 21 for the first six months after obtaining their driver’s license, and they are not allowed to be behind the wheel between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for the first year.
A candlelight vigil is being held for Villegas at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Heritage Field 2 behind the third base bleachers at Rogers High School.
This story was originally published July 30, 2019 at 12:36 PM.
