Melissa “Tiang” Luangsrinhotha
King County prosecutors have obtained a $100,000 bench warrant for a man charged in the death of Melissa “Tiang” Luangsrinhotha, a 38-year-old mother and first-generation Lao American.
Jose Luis Lopez Garcia, 34, faces vehicular homicide and reckless driving charges after a Nov. 4 crash in Kent that killed Luangsrinhotha. He reportedly removed his electronic home monitoring device and failed to appear in court. Authorities do not know his current whereabouts.
Luangsrinhotha was the eldest daughter and first U.S.-born granddaughter of her Lao immigrant family. Born in Modesto, California, she grew up in Raymond, Washington. She had two daughters and was remembered as a devoted mother, sister, and aunt, creating lasting connections throughout her life.
Her obituary said, “The women in (Melissa’s) circle will forever value her character. Her impact, her life lessons, her sacrifice, her influence, will always be a part of everyone’s lives she has touched.”
The crash occurred when Lopez Garcia, allegedly impaired and driving at more than twice the speed limit, struck the passenger side of a vehicle carrying Luangsrinhotha and her husband. She died at the scene from blunt force injuries, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Lopez Garcia pleaded not guilty to the charges in November 2024. A judge reduced his bail and ordered electronic home monitoring, which he later tampered with, triggering the bench warrant.