Two passengers were injured early Sunday, Nov. 1, when a car struck a stopped Washington State Patrol vehicle on southbound I-5 just north of SR 516 in the Kent area (map below).
The crash happened about 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning and involved three vehicles.
The State Patrol identified driving under the influence as the cause and listed DUI and vehicular assault as charges for the car’s driver, a 21-year-old man from Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The injured passengers, a 21-year-old Lacey man and a 25-year-old Kent man, were riding in the car that struck the patrol vehicle. Both were taken to Harborview Medical Center, according to the report. Their conditions were not provided.
The unmarked State Patrol vehicle had its emergency equipment activated and was stopped behind another vehicle in lane five of five. Both drivers were outside their vehicles on the left shoulder when the crash occurred, troopers said.
According to the State Patrol, the crash unfolded as follows:
- A 2020 Honda Civic was traveling south in lane five toward the two stopped vehicles.
- The Civic struck the unmarked patrol vehicle, a 2025 Ford Explorer.
- The Explorer then struck a 2006 Acura TL.
- All three vehicles came to rest blocking lane five.
The State Patrol reported that the roadway was blocked for approximately three hours and 44 minutes.
The Civic’s driver was not injured. Two passengers in the Acura, a 17-year-old Auburn girl and an 18-year-old Federal Way woman, also were listed as uninjured.
All three vehicles were totaled, according to the State Patrol. No deaths were reported.
This is from the scene that was SB 5 near SR516. Trooper was with a blocking disabled when a vehicle struck the patrol vehicle while he was outside of the vehicle. Passenger sustained significant injuries. Trooper not injured. Driver arrested for suspected impairment. https://t.co/jvXwe4uSoP
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) November 1, 2026
