Coroner identifies two pedestrians killed by vehicle in downtown Olympia Wednesday
Two pedestrians who were killed by a careening vehicle Wednesday in downtown Olympia have been identified.
Joy Ezindu, a 71-year-old Tumwater woman, and Carla Gonzales, a 62-year-old Olympia woman, died from multiple blunt force injuries that were caused when a vehicle struck them, Coroner Gary Warnock said Friday morning.
Two vehicles collided around 5 p.m. in the area of Fifth Avenue and Simmons Street near Capitol Lake, Olympia police Lt. Paul Lower said on Wednesday. After they collided, one vehicle careened onto the sidewalk and struck the two women, he said.
Both of them died at the scene, Lower said.
On Thursday, Lower said Olympia police were still investigating the incident with help from Washington State Patrol.
“It’s not unusual that we bring in staff (from other agencies) to help supplement our staff,” Lower said. “Washington State Patrol, those folks often have some expertise because they handle so many collisions.”
Lower said the collision did not have anything to do with ongoing preparations for Capital Lakefair at Heritage Park.
“This was just a very tragic situation.” Lower said. “It had nothing to do with construction or other things in the area that we’re aware of right now.”
Clifford Barela identified Gonzales as his mother and started a fundraiser on GoFundMe.
“She and her friend were walking across the street to celebrate the Lord at their church tent service when they were both struck by a truck that killed them instantly,” Barela shared on the GoFundMe.
This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 11:58 AM.
