Driver charged in Tacoma crash that left 83-year-old woman dead
A driver is accused of speeding through a Tacoma intersection and striking another vehicle, killing its passenger.
Prosecutors charged Donald Douglas Gilliland, 54, with vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and reckless driving for the Dec. 29, 2025 wreck, court documents show.
Gilliland is not in custody. A summons hearing has been set for Feb. 19 in Pierce County Superior Court.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Vernee Jo Neff, 83 of Lakewood. Her cause of death was listed as multiple blunt-force injuries, and manner of death reported as an accident.
Details of the crash from charging documents
Officers were dispatched at 1:34 p.m. to South Tacoma Way and South 66th Street for a crash that resulted in injuries. A vehicle had also struck a pole, according to charging documents.
Gilliland’s green Charger had significant damage to the front. Officers found Gilliland lying on the ground with some blood on his face, documents show. About 70 to 80 feet south was a white Ford Escort with extensive damage to the passenger side. People were seen trying to pull the door open.
The driver of the second vehicle appeared to be disoriented but answered officers’ questions. Documents show a woman was in the passenger seat and unresponsive. Tacoma Fire personnel removed her from the car. They advised officers that she was dead.
Gilliland told officers he had left an auto dealership, and there was a black SUV pushing up behind him. He thought the SUV was going to strike him so he looked forward and saw a white flash, according to court documents.
Detectives spoke to Gilliland at the hospital where he was taken for serious injuries. He said he had the green light at the intersection and drove about 35 to 36 mph. Detectives noted he did not have any signs of impairment, and Gilliland also said he did not consume any alcohol, drugs or medication.
Documents show that witnesses at the scene gave conflicting statements about what happened. One witness reported seeing a white car speeding through the intersection. Another witness reported seeing a green Dodge “flying” and going over 70 mph before hitting the white car.
The driver of the second vehicle reportedly told officers he did not remember much and that he intended to go west on South 66th Street. The driver also had serious injuries.
Video footage from businesses on South Tacoma Way allegedly showed that the Gilliland was driving his vehicle at high speeds. He also appeared to have been racing a dark SUV. Officers advised Gilliland of his charges and he stayed at the hospital, court documents show.
Officers recommended charges for Gilliland after going through surveillance footage, evidence from the scene and witness statements that described what led up to the crash. It was alleged that while the vehicle Neff was in attempted to make a left turn at the intersection, Gilliland allegedly drove his vehicle at high speed and crashed into her car. Detectives concluded Gilliland was driving with a disregard to the public’s safety.
This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 12:44 PM.
