By Crash News Writer 
Des Moines, WA (November 4, 2026) – Three people were injured early Sunday morning, November 1, when a Honda Civic struck an unmarked Washington State Patrol (WSP) vehicle on Interstate 5 near Des Moines. According to state troopers, the suspected impaired driver crashed into the rear of a patrol SUV that was positioned behind a disabled vehicle, causing a chain-reaction collision.
The accident occurred along southbound I-5 while a Washington State Patrol trooper was assisting two teenage girls whose vehicle had become disabled. The trooper had positioned an unmarked Ford Explorer behind the stalled car to provide protection from approaching traffic.
The two teenagers, identified as the driver and passenger of the disabled vehicle, were standing on the highway shoulder while the trooper assisted them. Authorities reported that neither teenager was injured in the subsequent collision.
According to WSP, a 21-year-old driver stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord was operating a Honda Civic when the vehicle struck the rear of the patrol SUV. The force of the collision pushed the Ford Explorer forward into the disabled car.
The impact involved three vehicles, including the Honda Civic, the unmarked patrol SUV, and the previously disabled vehicle. Despite the force of the collision, the state trooper escaped injury.
The 21-year-old Honda driver and two passengers sustained injuries in the accident. Emergency personnel transported all three individuals to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for medical treatment.
Authorities did not immediately release information about the severity of their injuries or their conditions following hospitalization. The identities and ages of the two passengers were also not provided in the initial report.
Washington State Patrol investigators suspect that the Honda driver was impaired when the collision occurred. However, the available report did not establish whether impairment had been confirmed through testing or whether formal charges had been filed in connection with Sunday’s accident.
The crash marked the third reported incident involving a Washington State Patrol vehicle being struck along the Interstate 5 corridor within approximately 10 days. Two earlier collisions occurred on southbound I-5 near State Route 520 and northbound I-5 near South 272nd Street.
In one of the earlier incidents, a driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after striking a patrol vehicle in Federal Way. Troopers had been blocking an HOV lane following another collision when the vehicle was hit.
According to WSP data cited by FOX 13 Seattle, 64 patrol vehicles were struck during traffic enforcement stops or collision investigations during the first nine months of 2026. Those incidents resulted in injuries to 19 troopers, and the figures did not include additional collisions reported in October or November.
The repeated incidents have drawn attention to the risks faced by emergency personnel and motorists stopped along busy highways. Washington law requires drivers approaching qualifying roadside emergency scenes to move over when safe or reduce their speed as required by the state’s emergency-zone traffic laws.
Authorities have not released additional information about possible charges arising from the November 1 collision. The circumstances surrounding the suspected impaired-driving accident remain subject to investigation.
Protect Your Rights After a Suspected DUI Highway Accident Today
Highway collisions involving stopped emergency vehicles can cause serious injuries when approaching drivers fail to recognize or respond to traffic hazards. When a vehicle strikes a patrol SUV positioned behind a disabled car, the impact can push vehicles into one another and place motorists and emergency personnel at risk.
Under car accident laws in Washington, individuals injured because of another driver’s negligence may have grounds to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other legally recognized damages. When impairment is suspected, investigators may also examine whether alcohol or drugs affected the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely.
If you are searching for a car accident near me or a car accident near Des Moines, understanding Washington’s impaired-driving and emergency-zone traffic laws can help clarify the legal questions that may arise following a highway collision. An official car accident report may contain information about vehicle movements, roadway conditions, witness statements, and the investigating officers’ findings.
Washington law prohibits operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs. However, a suspected DUI does not establish that impairment occurred, and investigators must evaluate the available evidence before determining whether a driver violated the law.
Evidence in a suspected impaired-driving collision may include officer observations, witness statements, toxicology results, and other investigative findings. The availability and significance of these materials depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Washington also has specific requirements for motorists approaching qualifying emergency vehicles and roadside assistance operations. Drivers must take precautions when approaching vehicles displaying appropriate warning lights, including changing lanes when safely possible or reducing speed as required by law.
These requirements are intended to reduce the risk of secondary collisions involving emergency personnel, disabled vehicles, and motorists stopped along the roadway. Whether a particular driver violated the law depends on the conditions and circumstances at the time of the collision.
When an approaching vehicle strikes a stationary patrol SUV and pushes it into another car, investigators may examine the sequence of impacts. Vehicle damage, roadway measurements, and witness accounts can help determine how the collision occurred and whether negligent conduct contributed.
Washington generally allows three years to file negligence-based personal injury lawsuits. However, exceptions and special rules may affect the applicable deadlines, particularly when claims involve government entities or other legally distinct circumstances.
People researching a car accident near me or a car accident near Des Moines should also understand Washington’s pure comparative negligence system. Under this rule, compensation may be reduced by a claimant’s percentage of fault, but partial responsibility does not automatically prevent recovery.
A driver who is suspected of DUI may face criminal proceedings if investigators establish sufficient grounds for charges. However, criminal charges and civil injury claims are separate legal matters, and a criminal conviction is not always required to establish civil liability.
Injured passengers may also have questions about available insurance coverage and whether they can pursue compensation for their injuries. Depending on the circumstances, relevant coverage may include liability insurance, personal injury protection benefits, and other applicable policies.
When a collision involves a patrol vehicle assisting a disabled motorist, additional questions may arise concerning the positions of the vehicles, emergency warning lights, and the actions of the approaching driver. These issues require an examination of the evidence rather than assumptions about responsibility.
An official car accident report and the Washington State Patrol investigation may eventually clarify the circumstances surrounding the November 1 collision. Because the report identifies suspected impairment without confirming a final determination, the investigation’s findings remain important.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article reflects information reported by FOX 13 Seattle and attributed to the Washington State Patrol on November 2, 2026. Additional details may become available as investigators continue reviewing the suspected impaired-driving collision.
- Three people hospitalized: The 21-year-old Honda Civic driver and two passengers sustained injuries in the accident. All three were transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, although their medical conditions were not immediately released.
- Crash location: The collision occurred along southbound Interstate 5 near Des Moines on Sunday, November 1. A Washington State Patrol trooper was assisting two teenagers whose vehicle had become disabled.
- Patrol SUV struck: Authorities reported that the Honda Civic struck the rear of an unmarked Ford Explorer used by the state trooper. The impact pushed the patrol SUV into the disabled vehicle positioned ahead of it.
- Trooper and teenagers uninjured: The trooper escaped injury, and the two teenage girls standing on the highway shoulder were not hurt. The teenagers had been outside their disabled vehicle while receiving assistance.
- Suspected impairment: Investigators suspect that the Honda driver was impaired, although the available report did not confirm formal charges arising from Sunday’s collision. Readers seeking information about injury claims can review our frequently asked questions in Washington.
- Third patrol vehicle struck: WSP reported that this was the third collision involving a patrol vehicle along the I-5 corridor within approximately 10 days. Individuals seeking additional information following a serious accident can explore accident resources in Washington for further assistance.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Information reflects publicly available reports at the time of publication and may change as authorities release additional findings. Readers should consult a qualified attorney regarding their individual circumstances. Please review our disclaimer for further details.
When a suspected impaired driver strikes a patrol vehicle assisting stranded motorists, the resulting collision can leave injured passengers facing medical expenses, lost income, and questions about insurance responsibility. Washington law establishes specific requirements for impaired driving, emergency-zone safety, and negligence claims, and the available legal options depend on the evidence. A Washington personal injury lawyer can review the circumstances, explain the state’s traffic and insurance laws, and discuss whether injured individuals may have grounds to pursue compensation.