Second suspect pleads not guilty in crash that killed Deejay Tuiasosopo
Nov 9, 2026, 5:10 PM
Deejay Tuiasosopo plays in a football game. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
A second defendant in last month’s crash in Federal Way that killed Deejay Tuiasosopo, 16, was in court today.
Luis Cortez Santos, 20, pleaded not guilty to a vehicular homicide charge. The court set bail at $200,000, and he remains in jail, according to prosecutors.
He is charged with vehicular homicide for allegedly driving recklessly and disregarding the safety of others.
“Prosecutors allege he was going nearly twice the posted speed limit, 87 in a 45mph zone, at the time of the crash and didn’t apply his brakes,” Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson with the King County Prosecutor’s Office, said.
According to charging documents, the Lexus driven by Santos struck Emory’s truck, then hit Tuiasosopo before crashing into a pole.
A second person, Roberto Emory, 29, is also charged in the case. He has also pleaded not guilty.
Cortez Santos’ case will proceed through routine pretrial hearings. His next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.
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