By Crash News Writer 
Milton, WA (December 28, 2025) – A Friday night crash on Interstate 5 near Milton left four people injured, including a 9-year-old girl, and led to the arrest of a driver for vehicular assault, according to the Washington State Patrol.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the collision occurred around 10 p.m. on December 27 when a black 2016 Mercedes sedan traveling southbound on I-5 struck a slower-moving vehicle just north of Wapato Way. The driver of the Mercedes, a 44-year-old man, reportedly failed to slow for a hazard in the road and rear-ended a vehicle carrying a 27-year-old woman and her young passenger.
Both vehicles came to a stop blocking the first and second lanes of I-5, causing traffic delays that lasted over four hours. The man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of DUI and vehicular assault. Neither he nor his 40-year-old female passenger, who was hospitalized at Tacoma General Hospital, was wearing a seatbelt.
The woman and the 9-year-old in the other vehicle were also injured but did not require hospital transport. The crash remains under investigation.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article is based on a press release from Washington State Patrol and may be updated as more details become available. For clarity on next steps, visit the frequently asked questions in Washington.
- The names of those involved have not been released.
- Toxicology results and further investigation outcomes are pending.
- Delays along I-5 near Wapato Way may continue to affect travel as the investigation continues.
Victims and their families can find additional help through accident resources in Washington, which offer legal support and recovery services. For full terms of this report, read our disclaimer.
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision, contact a knowledgeable Washington personal injury lawyer today to protect your rights and begin the process of seeking justice.