Two passing Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers intervened after the crash, and both girls were hospitalized in stable condition.
DUPONT, WA — A 35-year-old woman is accused of attacking two girls with a knife after crashing an SUV into a semitruck and rolling the vehicle on Interstate 5 near DuPont, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The crash happened around 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, on southbound I-5 near exit 118. State Patrol said the woman was driving with two girls, ages 9 and 15, when the SUV struck a barrier, crossed the roadway and collided with a semitruck before rolling. After the crash, investigators said the woman attacked or threatened the girls with a knife. The younger girl suffered multiple broken bones and a stab wound. Both girls were hospitalized and reported in stable condition.
Troopers said the SUV initially struck the barrier on the left side of the freeway before veering toward the right shoulder. The vehicle then moved back to the left and hit a semitruck traveling in the middle lane. The SUV continued toward the left side of the freeway, struck the barrier again and rolled before coming to rest near exit 118.
Washington State Patrol Sgt. John Dattilo told KIRO Newsradio that all three occupants got out of the SUV after the rollover. Investigators said the woman then attacked the girls with a knife. Two soldiers from nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord were passing the scene, saw what was happening and intervened, Dattilo said.
The soldiers were able to get the knife away from the woman, according to State Patrol. Their names had not been released in the reports reviewed. Authorities also had not disclosed whether the soldiers were on duty at the time. The military installation is located near the stretch of I-5 where the crash occurred.
The 9-year-old girl suffered a stab wound as well as multiple broken bones, according to State Patrol. The 15-year-old did not suffer injuries described as serious. Both girls were taken to a hospital and were reported in stable condition. Their names were not released. Authorities had not publicly established the relationship between the woman and the girls in the reports reviewed.
The driver of the semitruck was not injured, though State Patrol said the truck sustained reportable damage. The woman, who authorities said is from Steilacoom, was also taken to a hospital for an evaluation following the crash.
State Patrol said the woman was being investigated for suspected driving under the influence, vehicular assault and first-degree assault. The allegations remained under investigation, and authorities had not released information establishing what caused the SUV to cross the freeway or what led to the alleged knife attack. No motive had been publicly identified.
Investigators continued working to determine the cause of the crash and the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. Authorities had not released additional information about the girls’ conditions beyond saying they were stable, and the available reports did not establish that criminal charges had been formally filed.
Author note: Last updated Oct. 6, 2026.