Latest deadly accident on SR 18 takes lives of mother and daughter, two ‘Best of the Best’ Snoqualmie Casino employees

Friday, October 12th, was a very tough day for employees at Snoqualmie Casino, where mother Maria Wong (59) and daughter Jasmine Lao (21) were heading to work when their car was involved in a deadly collision near the Tiger Mountain summit of SR 18.

Snoqualmie Casino CEO, Brian Decorah released a statement on Facebook Friday evening saying, “It is with profound sadness that I share the worst possible news. Following a fatal accident on Tiger Mountain this morning, we have lost two of our best. Mother and daughter, Maria W. (slots) and Jasmine L. (security), were on their daily commute to begin another day with their work-family when their lives were unfairly taken.”

Maria and Jasmine died when a pickup truck crossed the center line and struck their vehicle. The driver of the truck was taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition and subsequently arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide, under suspicion of driving impaired.

Maria had worked at the casino for nearly 10 years and was known for her infectious smile and sweet personality. Jasmine, who shared her mother’s smile, was hired in 2015 and was about to be promoted within the security department. Both women had been honored as ‘Best of the Best’ casino employees.

According to Decorah, “Both Maria and Jasmine were two of the most well-liked people from our Snoqualmie Casino family by guests and team members alike. Please honor them with us by remembering their smiles and laughs.”

Friends of the family started a GoFundMe online fundraiser to help support the two children/siblings of Maria and Jasmine. They are asking for donations to help with the funeral, legal costs and so the adult children can afford to take time off while they grieve. So far they have raised just over $3,000 of their $15,000 goal.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/inmemoryofmariaandjasmine