With profound sorrow and broken hearts, the Moses Lake community is mourning the tragic loss of an entire young family killed in a devastating crash on Christmas Day in Walla Walla County. Gustavo Guzman-Gomez, 34, Nashiely Bustamante, 27, and their 6-month-old son, Giovanni, lost their lives while traveling to visit family for the holiday. What should have been a joyful Christmas journey instead became an unimaginable tragedy.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash happened on Highway 12 just outside the town of Touchet. The family was traveling eastbound when a pickup truck driven by a 22-year-old man from Benton City crossed into the eastbound lanes and struck their vehicle head-on. Troopers said the force of the collision was catastrophic, causing the pickup truck to come to rest on top of the family’s car.
Investigators confirmed that Gustavo Guzman-Gomez and Nashiely Bustamante were pronounced dead at the scene. Their infant son, Giovanni, who was properly secured in a seatbelt, was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Giovanni later succumbed to his injuries, deepening the heartbreak surrounding the crash. The pickup truck driver was also taken to the hospital, though his condition has not been released.
The Washington State Patrol stated that the reason the pickup driver lost control of his vehicle remains unknown. Early findings indicate that weather conditions, drugs, and alcohol do not appear to be contributing factors. However, officials stressed that the investigation is still ongoing and details may change as additional evidence is analyzed and the crash is fully reconstructed.
Beyond the facts of the crash, loved ones remember Gustavo and Nashiely as a devoted young couple filled with hope, love, and dreams for the future. Their lives centered around their baby boy, Giovanni, whose brief life was surrounded by care and affection. The family’s Christmas trip was meant to be about connection and celebration, making the loss especially painful.
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been created to help cover funeral expenses as the family navigates this unbearable loss. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Mountain View – Colonial DeWitt in Walla Walla. As the investigation continues, the community remains united in grief, honoring the memory of a family taken far too soon.
