Stephen Jermaine William, Jess Lee Davis Obituary – The two U.S. Navy sailors who perished in a fiery, “chain reaction” collision on Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton, which also claimed the life of another individual and left five others injured, were identified by military authorities on Friday.
Stephen Jermaine Williams, aged 37, and Jess Lee Davis, aged 38, were recognized as the two military-affiliated motorcyclists who lost their lives in the accident. Both were distinguished officers, as per naval officials, and had served in San Diego throughout their careers.
The identity of the third person who died in the crash, a civilian, has not been disclosed yet, and no further details about the injured individuals have been revealed.
“The Navy community grieves the loss of two comrades in Thursday’s traffic incident,” stated U.S. Navy spokesperson Brian O’Rourke. “Our hearts and prayers are with the families, friends, and colleagues of the sailors, and we request that they be given privacy during this challenging period.”
Williams, a Damage Controlman 1st Class hailing from Texas, was most recently stationed at the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center in San Diego. He was reportedly transitioning between duty stations at the time of the collision.
Having enlisted in 2006, the sailor had received accolades such as a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation, among other honors.
Davis, a Culinary Specialist Submarines 1st Class from Tennessee, was serving on the USS Alexandria in Los Angeles before the tragic incident. Military sources mentioned that he had been stationed at Naval Base Point Loma on at least two occasions during his career.
Enlisting in 2005, Davis had earned multiple awards, including two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and a National Defense Service Medal.
The collision, involving two cars and four motorcycles, occurred shortly before 3 a.m. close to the Las Pulgas exit on southbound I-5. The “chain reaction” crash was initiated when a Jeep swerved off the road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
