Authorities said two passing soldiers disarmed a woman after an SUV rolled near DuPont with two girls inside.
DUPONT, Wash. — Two Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers stopped and intervened after a rollover crash on Interstate 5 near DuPont when authorities say the SUV’s driver threatened two girls with a knife and stabbed the younger child.
The soldiers’ response became a central part of the investigation into the Oct. 5 crash and alleged assault. Washington State Patrol said a 35-year-old Steilacoom woman had been driving an SUV southbound with girls ages 9 and 15 when the vehicle struck barriers, collided with a semi-truck and rolled near exit 118. Authorities said the confrontation involving the knife happened after the occupants got out following the wreck.
State Patrol Sgt. John Dattilo told KIRO Newsradio that the two soldiers were passing the scene when they saw what was happening and intervened. Authorities said they were able to get the knife away from the woman. Dattilo said investigators could not know what would have happened without their actions, but he indicated their intervention may have prevented a worse outcome.
The 9-year-old suffered multiple broken bones and a stab wound, according to authorities. The 15-year-old was also taken to a hospital but was not reported to have serious injuries. Both girls were later described as being in stable condition. Their names were not released in the reports reviewed.
The incident began at about 9 a.m. on southbound I-5. Troopers said the SUV hit the left-side barrier, moved toward the right shoulder and then veered back across the roadway, where it struck a semi-truck traveling in the middle lane. The SUV then hit the barrier again and rolled, coming to rest near exit 118.
The semi-truck driver was not injured, authorities said, although the truck sustained reportable damage. The woman driving the SUV was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Reports did not specify the nature of her injuries or provide further details about that evaluation.
Authorities said the driver was being investigated for suspected DUI, vehicular assault and first-degree assault. The investigation remained ongoing, and the allegations under review had not been established as proven criminal conduct. Available reports did not identify a motive for the alleged attack or explain the relationship between the woman and the girls.
The soldiers were identified in news reports as being associated with Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the large military installation near DuPont. Officials had not released their names in the reports reviewed. Their intervention occurred before the investigation moved into its next phase involving the crash, the alleged knife assault and the driver’s suspected impairment.
State Patrol continued working to determine what caused the SUV to cross the freeway and strike the truck before overturning. Authorities had not released a final crash finding or additional information about possible court proceedings as of Tuesday.
Author note: Last updated October 6, 2026.