SPOKANE, Wash. — Just over one week after she was killed in a deadly crash, California native 32-year-old Jessica Wright’s pastor spoke on behalf of her family, to share the kind of person she was during her lifetime.
“She walked into the room, and you’d say, ‘there’s Jessica,’ and you left with a smile on your face,” Jim Harkabus said. “She was one of those really wonderful, individual souls who touched people’s lives.”
On September 17, the Wright family lost their beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt and cousin, Jessica Wright.Wright was driving up from her hometown, Redding, California, with her cousin 23-year-old Elizabeth Stewart and Stewart’s two kids, on their way to reunite with family in Idaho.
Before they could make it, Washington State Patrol troopers said 23-year-old Philip Garcia merged lanes headed eastbound on I-90 and rammed into the back of Wright and Stewart’s car, causing it to roll and crash near milepost 274. Troopers believe Garcia was driving drunk at the time of the crash – he was arrested for vehicular homicide and DUI.
Wright was killed, while Stewart and her children survived and were taken to the hospital. Harkabus said Stewart is still badly beaten up from the crash but is expected to be ok.
Harkabus said he has known Wright almost all her life, describing her as a woman of faith and love, with strong family ties.
“I knew Jessica since she was probably about two or three years old, so I just watched her grow up as her pastor,” he said. “She is a young lady who is sharp, intelligent, she spoke her mind and you knew where she stood on things, but she also had a tender heart toward people and really cared about people.”
The man WSP troopers believe is responsible for causing the crash that killed Wright, Philip Garcia, was released without bond from the Spokane County Jail during his first appearance September 18. He was in and out of jail not even 24 hours after the crash Sunday night.
Harkabus said Wright’s family is disappointed in Washington’s criminal justice system, praying that no one else goes through what they are going through right now.
“They’d love to see justice be done, but also hope this man gets the help that he needs,” Harkabus said.
Wright’s remains are just now getting home to her family in California, where they are planning her memorial service.
As for Garcia, he is still out of jail but will be back in court October 4 for his arraignment. His trial date will be set then, too.
