A late-night crash on southbound I-5 near the King-Pierce county line turned from terrifying to surreal early Sunday, when a driver who had been ejected in a rollover allegedly pulled a gun on someone who stopped to help, then took off from the scene, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Troopers say the man was knocked unconscious in the crash. When he came to, he allegedly brandished a firearm at the motorist who had pulled over to assist. That report led troopers to shut down and fully contain the southbound lanes while they searched the area. They later found the driver away from the freeway with injuries consistent with the collision. Investigators say he will undergo a medical evaluation before any decision is made about booking him into jail.
Trooper’s post and camera footage
Trooper Kameron Watts posted on X that “SB I-5 just south of the King County line is completely blocked for containment” and shared traffic camera stills that show officers approaching an overturned vehicle with rifles raised. Trooper Kameron Watts (@wspd1pio) offered the first public update on what was happening on the freeway.
How the scene unfolded
According to KIRO 7, the crash was reported around 3:15 a.m. on southbound I-5 near the King-Pierce county line. The station reports that WSDOT traffic cameras showed the vehicle on its roof and empty when officers first arrived. Troopers later located the driver away from the roadway and said he will receive a medical evaluation before any possible booking.
What drivers should know
Incidents like this also serve as a reminder of Washington’s “move over” rules for anyone approaching an emergency or work zone. State law requires drivers to move over a lane if it is safe to do so, or slow down to at least 10 miles per hour under the posted speed limit when a lane change is not possible, under RCW 46.61.212. Penalties can be doubled for violations, and in the most serious situations where a motorist’s actions put responders at risk, the conduct can be charged as reckless endangerment.
