The wreckage of a vehicle in which three teenagers died in July on Alderwood Mall Parkway. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)

The wreckage of a vehicle in which three teenagers died in July on Alderwood Mall Parkway. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)

Fatal crash: Marijuana, high speed, inexperienced driver

Officials have released a report on a Lynnwood accident which killed three high school students.

LYNNWOOD — A fatal mix of marijuana, speeding and inexperience likely factored into a crash that killed three Jackson High School students in July on Alderwood Mall Parkway, according to a report released Friday by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

However, what exactly caused a teen driver to drift off the road around 4 a.m. July 26 might never be known.

Four teenagers were in the Kia Sorento that crashed into a parked semi truck trailer in the 16900 block of the parkway. Killed were Mikayla Sorenson, 15, of Bothell; Travin Nelson-Phongphiou, 16, of Everett; and Landon Staley, 16, of Everett. One girl, 15, survived with serious injuries.

The new report says the driver was under the influence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. A blood sample tested positive for the drug at 6.8 ng/mL. The legal limit for adults is 5 ng/mL, and it’s illegal for those younger than 21 to drive with any level of THC in the body.

The sheriff’s office said the driver had an intermediate license and only had started driving within the previous six months. He was not allowed to have passengers.

A spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office, Shari Ireton, declined to confirm which boy was driving, because they were minors.

The semi truck was parked in a legal zone along the side of the road, but was facing the wrong way, according to the sheriff’s office. The car crashed at an estimated speed of 56 mph, according to the report released Friday. The Kia went under the trailer, and first responders had to lift it to reach the victims.

“Since the trailer was parked facing the wrong direction there was nothing to mitigate or prevent the driver’s vehicle from under-riding the trailer,” the detective’s report states. “Given the estimated speed of the driver’s vehicle it is unknown whether or not the rear bumper would have been able to withstand the impact to prevent an under-ride of the semi-trailer.”

The semi’s driver was cited for a parking infraction.

Family remembered Mikayla Sorenson as “a kind soul, loved by her family and friends and full of life.” At the teens’ school, flowers, teddy bears and notes in chalk were left behind, as students, staff and others mourned the loss.

Caleb Hutton: 425-339-3454; chutton@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snocaleb.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.