Highway Horror: Soldier Tackles Knife-Wielding Driver

Police officer at crash scene near damaged white car — Photo: sirtravelalot / Shutterstock

Two soldiers sprinted toward a wreck on I-5 and stopped a knife attack on a 9-year-old girl.

Story Snapshot

Washington State Patrol says a 35-year-old woman crashed on I-5 near DuPont, then attacked two girls.
Two Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers intervened and disarmed the woman, ending the assault.
The 9-year-old suffered broken bones and a stab wound; a 15-year-old was also hurt but stable.
Troopers are investigating driving under the influence, vehicular assault, and first-degree assault.

Crash, chaos, and a fast response on I-5

Washington State Patrol investigators said a 35-year-old Steilacoom woman crashed her sport utility vehicle on southbound Interstate 5 near DuPont around 9 a.m., then attacked two girls with a knife at the roadside. Reports from the scene describe a violent collision that left traffic halted and bystanders scrambling. A 9-year-old girl suffered multiple broken bones and a stab wound. A 15-year-old girl was also present and taken to a hospital in stable condition, according to local outlets.

Two soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord saw the crash and ran in. Witness accounts and state patrol summaries credit them with getting the knife away and restraining the suspect until troopers arrived. That rapid move likely saved a life. One outlet later identified the suspect as Janieka Ellington, 35, and said prosecutors pursued attempted murder and vehicular assault charges as the case advanced, underscoring the severity investigators alleged.

What troopers say happened, step by step

Troopers and local reporters outlined a sequence that began with the SUV striking roadway structures and a semi-truck before coming to a stop near DuPont. Some accounts mention a rollover or barrier strikes before the impact with the semi. While details of the exact mechanics vary, the core event remains the same: a serious crash followed by a knife attack on two girls at the scene. Investigators are probing driving under the influence alongside assault-related offenses.

Washington’s collision reporting system requires sworn officer reports for injury crashes, with supplemental updates allowed as evidence develops. That process explains how early summaries can be firm on the big facts yet evolve on technical details like lane positions or exact impact order. The goal is accuracy under oath, even as teams gather more data from witnesses, vehicle damage, and any roadside cameras.

Injuries, aid, and the lifesaving role of bystanders

Medical responders treated the 9-year-old for broken bones and a stab wound consistent with what troopers described. The 15-year-old was hospitalized without life-threatening injuries, based on early hospital reports shared with local media. The suspect was first taken to a hospital for evaluation, then booked or expected to be booked into the Pierce County Jail as the investigation moved forward. Trained soldiers and quick-thinking bystanders again proved that ordinary people can become first responders in the gap before sirens arrive.

Many readers will ask the obvious question: what made soldiers decisive here? Training and mindset. Service members drill for stress, move toward danger, and act on clear tasks. In a highway emergency, that means secure the scene, stop the threat, and preserve life. Their actions tracked that playbook. That mindset aligns with common sense and the conservative value that personal courage and responsibility can change outcomes before government resources get there.

Charges, process, and what comes next

Washington State Patrol said the woman is under investigation for driving under the influence, vehicular assault, and first-degree assault, with later coverage reporting attempted murder among the charges named by prosecutors. Different outlets captured different moments in time. That is normal as a case moves from roadside response to formal filing. What remains constant is the allegation that a crash was followed by a knife attack on two girls and that soldiers intervened to stop it.

Washington law places collision documentation on a sworn footing, and investigators can supplement reports as new evidence appears. That structure helps courts later, not just headlines now. The legal process will sort intent, impairment, and the final charge list. The public takeaway today is simpler and more urgent: a child was badly hurt, a second teen was threatened, and two soldiers running toward danger made all the difference on that strip of I-5.