Nine-Year-Old Boy Involved in Purdy Crash Dies Sunday Night; Uncle, 26, Booked into Jail

UPDATE, March 18, 2:15 p.m.: WSP Trooper Guy Gill tweeted that Jayce Randall was just booked into the Pierce Co. Jail for vehicular homicide from Saturday morning's crash.

----

The 9-year-old boy who was involved an early morning crash over the weekend died Sunday night, and his 26-year-old uncle whom authorities say was intoxicated and behind the wheel now faces vehicular homicide charges.

Authorities are reporting that Jayce Randall of Gig Harbor, 26, was booked into Pierce County Jail today.

The Washington State Patrol reports that the boy - whom KING 5 identified as Donovan Best - died Sunday night at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma. Hospital staff notified next of kin.

He was in critical condition following an early morning crash Saturday in which a car carrying the boy, his sister and driven by his uncle lost control on westbound State Route 16 toward Purdy Drive and the left the roadway to the right.

The car rolled over, and the boy was ejected from the vehicle. Randall's 9-year-old niece was in the backseat but was uninjured in the crash because she buckled her seatbelt, authorities say.

Randall and the boy in the front were not wearing restraints at the time of the crash, authorities say.

Randall was found to be impaired—more than double the legal limit—and admitted to smoking marijuana before driving. A large amount of marijuana was also recovered from the vehicle.

The girl told investigators that she and her brother were screaming at their uncle to slow down just before the accident, authorities say. The man had permission from their mother to drive with the kids but their destination is unknown.

On Sunday night, WSP said Randall will face charges of vehicular homicide, as well as DUI.