Driver in beer-theft wreck faces homicide charges

TACOMA -- The 19-year-old male driver of a BMW that crashed in Pierce County earlier this week, killing two young passengers, is expected to face charges of vehicular homicide Friday, the Tacoma News Tribune reported.

Raymond Joseph Lewis III was the alleged driver of a car that fled a convenience store Wednesday after the car's occupants allegedly stole beer and roughed up the clerk from a Chevron in the 7200 block of McKinley Avenue. Lewis allegedly fled at a high-rate of speed and crashed the car near East 64th and M streets early Wednesday.

James Paggeot, 22, and Walter Corey, were thrown from the car and both pronounced dead at the scene. Lewis allegedly fled the scene before police arrived, but turned himself in hours later. He has no prior criminal convictions.

He is currently being held in Pierce County bail in lieu of $350,000 bail.