According to Washington State Patrol and reporting by KIRO 7, two Seattle‑area physicians — James Khezri and Elham Javadi — were killed in a head‑on collision on State Route 2 near Gold Bar on February 12 while driving toward Stevens Pass for a Valentine’s Day weekend trip. The crash resulted in a full closure of the highway for several hours as troopers investigated.

Friends interviewed by KIRO 7 said the couple had been together since adolescence and had immigrated from Iran with their two children, seeking stability and opportunity in Washington State. Dr. Khezri practiced at Allure Esthetic in Kirkland, while Dr. Javadi worked as a periodontist in Edmonds. Colleagues described both as devoted parents and deeply committed to their patients.

In interviews shared with KIRO 7, coworker Dr. Javad Sajan recalled waiting in traffic with other couples traveling to the same ski outing, unaware the crash involved their friends. He described Dr. Khezri as energetic and driven, and Dr. Javadi as warm and generous.

The couple’s two sons, who have no other close family in the United States, remain in the care of family friends. A fundraising effort has been created to support them, according to a listing on GoFundMe.

Why this matters for Southwest Washington

While the crash occurred in Snohomish County, State Route 2 is one of Washington’s major east‑west corridors and a route used frequently by Southwest Washington residents traveling toward the Cascades. The incident has renewed broader conversations around winter travel safety and the long‑standing safety challenges identified along US‑2, an issue periodically raised by state transportation agencies and lawmakers.

Statewide, families throughout Washington — including those in Cowlitz County — often rely on extended community networks when tragedy strikes, especially when recent immigrants or families without local relatives are involved. The public response to this crash highlights the role of neighbors, workplaces, and grassroots fundraising in providing support where formal systems are limited.

Community response

Friends and colleagues cited in KIRO 7’s reporting emphasized the couple’s focus on giving their children stability and opportunity. Those sharing remembrances stressed the family’s contributions to their workplaces and the broader medical community in the Seattle region.

According to the GoFundMe page, donations will assist the children with immediate needs and longer‑term care arrangements. The fundraiser notes that the boys are now without their parents and are adjusting to life without extended family nearby.

As of the most recent update available through the verified listing, the campaign remains active.

Sources