Executive Summary
- Chance Michael Piccin pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in Kittitas County Superior Court.
- The crash on State Route 821 killed his wife, Courtney A. Bedell, and their 3-month-old daughter.
- Vehicle data indicated Piccin was driving at speeds up to 103 mph while intoxicated.
- Piccin faces a sentencing range of 95 to 125 months in prison.
An Ellensburg, Washington, man faces a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide charges stemming from a high-speed crash that killed his wife and infant daughter. Chance Michael Piccin, 30, entered the guilty plea in Kittitas County Superior Court on January 15, admitting to operating the vehicle while intoxicated during the fatal incident.
According to court documents cited by the Ellensburg Daily Record, the crash occurred on October 25, 2025. Investigators utilized a data tracking system from Piccin’s vehicle, which revealed the car was traveling at speeds reaching 103 mph shortly before the crash. Authorities stated that Piccin failed to negotiate a sharp curve on State Route 821, causing the vehicle to flip and roll at least once.
The collision resulted in fatal injuries to Piccin’s wife, 33-year-old Courtney A. Bedell, and the couple’s three-month-old daughter, Una. Although finalized toxicology reports from the Washington State Patrol were pending, Judge Chris Herion and attorneys for both the defense and prosecution agreed that the evidence was sufficient to establish that alcohol was a significant contributing factor in the tragedy.
During the court proceedings, a written statement of guilt was read by Judge Herion on Piccin’s behalf. In the statement, Piccin described the event as “the worst day in at least three people’s lives.” He expressed remorse, stating, “I saw the pain my catastrophic decisions caused. I watched my wife take her last breath, while my daughter was beginning the process of dying in my arms. Whatever sentence the court imposes on me, I will never escape what I did.”
Piccin had originally entered a not guilty plea to the charges of vehicular homicide and was scheduled for trial in December, but opted to change his plea before trial proceedings commenced. Under the current sentencing guidelines relevant to the charges, he faces a prison term of between 95 and 125 months, followed by 18 months of parole.
Sentencing Guidelines and Judicial Process
The resolution of this case through a plea agreement eliminates the need for a jury trial, shifting the judicial focus entirely to the penalty phase. The agreed-upon sentencing range of approximately eight to ten years reflects standard guidelines for vehicular homicide involving intoxication in Washington State. While the adjudication of guilt is finalized by the plea, the specific duration of incarceration remains at the discretion of the court, which will issue the formal sentence later this month.
