Self-starters, athletes, young people. These are the victims of horrific Tacoma wreck
They were aspiring entrepreneurs, athletes, a U.S. Marine, proud members of Native American tribes.
The six lost their lives Sunday in a horrific two-car crash in Tacoma, the worst Washington has seen in more than two decades. The group traveled to the state for an Amway convention. One in their car survived, a 21-year-old Phoenix man who was left in critical condition at St. Joseph Medical Center.
The crash occurred at a state Route 509 intersection, where a white BMW SUV going north on the highway struck the victims’ vehicle, a Kia Forte, according to the Washington State Patrol. The impact caused the Kia to roll and catch fire. An investigation remains underway.
The victims’ loved ones this week were working to bring them home to Arizona. They also were remembering the victims and the joy, and now sorrow, they’ve left behind.
Here’s who died Sunday at state Route 509 and Alexander Avenue East:
Felix Y Begay
Begay, 25, was from Kayenta, part of the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona. He was a hard worker and a father figure to his nephew, Begay’s sibling wrote in a fundraising post on GoFundMe. Begay was involved in Future Business Leaders of America in high school, and he played football. He had ambitions of being a successful businessman. Begay also enjoyed reading manga and playing video games.
“He was kind, he was pure, always took responsibility for his own,” his sibling, Phillisa Shane, wrote in a public Facebook post. “Had the most beautiful smile, and was our rock. As we suffer the loss of him being away from home, we just want to bring our brother back home and lay him to rest in Kayenta.”
Cerra Corner
Corner, 19, was from Phoenix. She graduated Alhambra High School in 2021 and briefly attended Arizona State University, KING 5 News reported. Her older sister, Mersadies Vanlier, told the TV station Corner played sports in high school and was always smiling and full of energy.
“She was like this bright sunshine. People just wanted to be around her all the time,” Vanlier told KING 5.
Lisa Gordon-Esparza
Gordon-Esparza, 19, was from Phoenix. In an obituary, she was described as a vibrant, smart person with a “beautiful soul.” She was one of three sisters and had eight brothers. A childhood friend wrote in a fundraising post that Gordon-Esparza married “the love of her life” in March last year. She was known for her contagious laugh and smile.
“She was loved by many, so full of life, and had the biggest dreams,” the GoFundMe reads. “Lisa cared so much for everyone around her, it just doesn’t even seem real.”
Javan Runnels
Javan Runnels, 22, was from Phoenix. His mother, Lisa Campbell, told KIRO 7 that Runnels was a “superstar.” He was known as an accomplished athlete and student. In a Facebook post, the The Arizona Roadrunners Professional Developmental Football Organization called him an “up and coming youngster.” On Runnels own Facebook account, he described himself as a local entrepreneur.
“He was loved, he knew he was loved and I’m — nobody is ever going to be the same without him,” Campell told KIRO 7.
Calsie Sockyma
Sockyma, 25, was born in Phoenix, where she grew up until moving to Moenkopi, Arizona, in her third year of school. Her mother, Joyce Kaye, told The News Tribune that Sockyma was a resilient, independent person who loved to sing and play flute. She said her daughter was a “die-hard” Hanna Montana fan when she was younger. Sockyma later attended Richfield High School in Utah, where she graduated in 2016.
Her only brother, Mitchell Kaye, 24, said his sister was a caring person. He said when he wanted to move away from home at age 19, she wanted to stay to take care of their mother.
Sockyma and her family are Hopi Tribe members, and Kaye said during the COVID-19 pandemic, her daughter worked to address issues facing indigenous communities, such as food insecurity and water rights. In 2021, she shared some of the struggles she and other tribe members were facing in a Cronkite News report.
Joyce Kaye said her daughter faced a lot of trauma as a child, but she always managed to pull herself back up. She said Sockyma was finding her leadership skills before she died, and she saw the trip to Washington as an opportunity for further development. Kaye said Sockyma had always wanted to visit Seattle.
“I told her you know, mano, that’s the word for girl, mano. I told her mano, don’t ever let your light burn out for anybody,” Kaye said. “You know who you are.”
Erick Tsosie
Tsosie, 25, was from Kayenta, Arizona, in the Navajo Nation. In a fundraising post, relatives wrote that he was known to most as “Sonny,” was loved by many and had an infectious smile. Tsosie joined the U.S. Marines after he completed high school. In a public Facebook post, his older sister, Sharmaine Tsosie, said her brother was best friends with Begay, and the two were business partners. She said Tsosie was visiting Washington to jump start his career as an entrepreneur.
“He was trying to build a future for himself and his family, was going to Washington to change his life and have a career but it was all just swiped away in an instant,” Tsosie told KIRO 7. “There will never be another Erick Tsosie, never.”
This story was originally published July 21, 2023 at 11:18 AM.
