FOOTBALL STAR, 16, KILLED JUST HOURS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GAME AS FAMILY MOURNS LOSS OF DEEJAY TUIASOSOPO

The Federal Way High School athlete dreamed of reaching state championships. His death has devastated teammates and relatives from a family with a long history in professional sports.

A 16-year-old Washington high school football player has died after a vehicle struck him on a sidewalk just hours after he played in a football game near the scene.

Deejay Tuiasosopo, a junior at Federal Way High School, died late Friday night, October 23, after a two-vehicle collision sent a car off the road and onto the sidewalk at Pacific Highway South and South 304th Street in Federal Way, according to police and local media reports.

Tuiasosopo had been standing nearby when the collision occurred. Emergency responders attempted to help him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The teenager was playing his first season with the Federal Way Eagles after transferring to the school. He played running back and linebacker, wore jersey No. 56 and was expected to graduate in 2028.

A NIGHT THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

The crash happened at approximately 10:45–10:48 p.m., just blocks from Federal Way High School, where Tuiasosopo had played earlier that evening.

Investigators said two vehicles collided at the intersection before one went onto the sidewalk and struck the teenager. The circumstances of the collision became the focus of a major accident investigation.

Initially, police arrested a 29-year-old driver on suspicion of vehicular homicide amid allegations that he had been driving under the influence.

A subsequent update published October 28 reported that prosecutors had charged two drivers in connection with the crash. According to FOX 13 Seattle, the 29-year-old pickup driver, Roberto Chris Emory, was charged with vehicular homicide involving alleged impairment and disregard for the safety of others. A second driver, a 20-year-old man who was driving a Lexus, was also charged with vehicular homicide. The allegations have not been resolved in court.

The updated report said investigators believe the pickup turned left in front of the oncoming Lexus, which then went onto the sidewalk and struck Tuiasosopo. Authorities are continuing to address the circumstances and responsibility for the collision through the legal process.

‘HE HAD SO MUCH LIFE TO LIVE’

The loss has left friends, classmates and teammates struggling to accept that a young athlete with so much ahead of him is gone.

Teammate and friend David Rodriguez said Tuiasosopo had dreams he was actively working toward.

“The fact he can’t do that, that’s just, it just feels sad,” Rodriguez said, reflecting on the future his friend would never get to experience. <

Other classmates remembered him as someone whose smile, humor and positive attitude made an impression beyond the football field.

Stormie Corey said the news initially felt unreal, while teammate Chester Maletala described Tuiasosopo as more than a friend — he was like a brother.

His teammates have vowed to keep playing and pursue their own goals while carrying his memory with them. <

A FAMILY WITH DEEP ROOTS IN AMERICAN SPORTS

Tuiasosopo came from a family whose achievements span professional football, college athletics and Major League Baseball.

His great-uncle, Manu Tuiasosopo, was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He later played for the San Francisco 49ers and was part of the team that won Super Bowl XIX in January 1985.

Manu’s son, Marques Tuiasosopo, became a standout quarterback at the University of Washington and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2001 Rose Bowl after leading the Huskies to victory. He later played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets.

Other members of the extended family have also made their mark in sports. Matt Tuiasosopo played professional baseball in Major League Baseball, while Leslie Gabriel became head coach of the University of Washington women’s volleyball team.

But relatives and teammates say Deejay was building a story of his own — one defined not only by athletic ability, but also by his character and the connections he made with people around him.

VIGIL HONORS HIS NO. 56 JERSEY

On Saturday, friends, family members, classmates and community members gathered near the crash site for a vigil honoring Tuiasosopo.

Flowers, candles, balloons and signs were placed at the intersection, with several tributes featuring the numbers five and six in remembrance of his No. 56 jersey.

More than 100 people gathered to pay their respects, demonstrating how deeply the teenager’s loss had affected the Federal Way community. <Cite refs={[“turn345530search4″,”turn345530search8”]}/>

Two of Tuiasosopo’s uncles told KOMO News they were left numb by the tragedy.

His family has also expressed gratitude for the support shown by the community, saying his energy, light and infectious presence had reached far more people than they had realized. <Cite refs={[“turn345530search4″,”turn345530search6”]}/>

At just 16, Tuiasosopo had years of school, sports and possibilities ahead of him. Now, his teammates say they will continue striving for the goals he once shared with them — and remember the young man behind the No. 56 jersey.