Child severely injured after suspected DUI driver causes multi-vehicle crash in Tumwater
Apr 20, 2026, 10:01 AM | Updated: 10:20 am
A photo of Tumwater Police Department and the Thurston County Sheriff's Office at a crime scene. (Photo courtesy of Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders)
(Photo courtesy of Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders)
A 10-year-old was injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Tumwater on Saturday, with the driver being arrested for vehicular assault and suspicion of DUI.
At 9:39 p.m., Tumwater Police Department (TPD) officers responded to North Street at Hoadly Street for reports of a multi-vehicle collision, TPD announced.
The caller advised that there were at least three vehicles involved in the crash, but a fourth vehicle was believed to have fled the scene.
High-speed collision topples light pole, damages 3 vehicles in Tumwater
As officers arrived, they found three vehicles with extensive damage in the roadway, a large amount of debris, and a light pole and tree that were severed and lying on the ground.
One of the drivers was trapped inside their vehicle and was being helped by witnesses.
The roadway was closed to traffic as officers investigated the scene, and medical personnel administered medical care to the victims.
During the investigation, officers learned that two unassociated vehicles were traveling westbound on North Street. The trailing vehicle, a Ford Explorer, was traveling at a high rate of speed and struck the rear of the victim vehicle in front of her, a Hyundai Santa Fe.
Both vehicles spun out of control as a result of the collision, causing the suspect vehicle to leave the roadway, strike a tree, and the light pole. Two other vehicles traveling westbound were struck, with one of the vehicles continuing westbound without stopping. The driver of that vehicle has since been contacted.
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The suspect driver in the Ford Explorer was transported to the hospital with multiple injuries, along with the occupants of the Hyundai.
At the hospital, staff learned a 10-year-old child in the Hyundai had sustained severe injuries and was transported to Mary Bridge Hospital for additional care.
TPD noted the 33-year-old suspect was believed to be driving under the influence, and a search warrant was obtained to process her for suspicion of DUI and vehicular assault.
The woman was transported to Harborview Medical Center. The suspect will be placed under arrest for vehicular assault and transported to the Thurston County Jail after her release from the hospital.
The TPD investigation remains active.
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