It was supposed to be a day of celebration. Instead, Christmas Day became a day of profound loss for a community in Eastern Washington. Gustavo Guzman-Gomez, 34, his partner Nashiely Bustamante, 27, and their six-month-old baby, Giovanni, were killed in a horrific head-on collision in Walla Walla County. They were simply traveling to visit family.
The crash happened in the afternoon on Highway 12 near the small community of Touchet. According to the Washington State Patrol, a pickup truck driven by a 22-year-old man from Benton City was heading westbound. For reasons still under investigation, the pickup crossed the center line. It slammed directly into the eastbound car carrying the young family. The impact was so severe that the pickup truck came to rest on top of their vehicle.
Troopers confirmed that Guzman-Gomez and Bustamante died at the scene. Their infant son, Giovanni, was properly secured in a child restraint system. First responders rushed the baby to a nearby hospital, fighting to save his life. Despite their efforts, Giovanni succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the pickup was also transported to the hospital. His current condition has not been publicly released.
Right now, investigators have more questions than answers. The Washington State Patrol has stated that early findings suggest poor weather, drugs, or alcohol were not factors in the crash. But they simply do not yet know why the pickup driver lost control. The case remains open as troopers meticulously reconstruct the scene and analyze all evidence.
Beyond the police report, this is the story of a family full of promise. Friends and loved ones remember Gustavo and Nashiely as a deeply devoted couple. Their world had recently brightened with the arrival of their son, Giovanni. Their social media pages were filled with photos beaming with parental joy. This Christmas trip was an expression of that love, a visit to share their baby’s first holiday with extended family.
The grief has rippled through the Moses Lake community and beyond. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help the families with funeral expenses and support during this unbearable time. The description paints a picture of a “beautiful young family” whose lives were tragically cut short. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Mountain View Colonial DeWitt in Walla Walla.
As the investigation continues on that stretch of highway, a different kind of work continues in the hearts of those left behind. They are left to mourn a future that will never be—first steps, first days of school, and a lifetime of Christmases stolen in an instant. The community now holds onto memories of a couple in love and a baby boy who brought them immense happiness, even for far too short a time.
