What began as a dangerous late-night rollover on Interstate 5 quickly turned into a double disaster in Federal Way, Washington. Firefighters responding to a suspected DUI crash had just arrived to block off traffic and assist the driver when another motorist slammed into their own firetruck. His excuse left troopers shaking their heads, confused as to what happened.
A Dangerous Chain Reaction on I-5
According to the Washington State Patrol, the original crash involved a driver suspected of being under the influence who rolled their vehicle, prompting emergency crews to rush to the scene. With lights flashing and lanes closed, firefighters parked their truck to shield the area and begin assisting the victim.
Moments later, another car barreled down I-5 and smashed directly into the parked firetruck. The force of the impact shook the scene, causing first responders to scramble. Thankfully, no firefighters were seriously injured, though the truck itself sustained significant damage.
Troopers said the driver behind the second crash admitted immediately that he had fallen asleep while driving. “I nodded off at the wheel,” he told officers, a statement that quickly spread online as both shocking and infuriating.
Officials stressed how close the situation came to becoming a tragedy. “It’s a miracle no one was killed,” one trooper explained. “Firefighters were just feet away, and this could have ended in fatalities.”
The incident highlights the ongoing dangers emergency workers face on Washington highways. State Patrol is once again urging drivers to slow down, stay alert, and obey the Move Over law when passing flashing lights.
Social media users reacted with a mix of outrage and disbelief, with one comment summing it up:
“Only in Washington, someone drunk flips their car, then someone else falls asleep and hits the firetruck saving them.”
Both the DUI driver from the rollover and the drowsy motorist who hit the firetruck are facing charges. For firefighters on I-5, it was a sobering reminder that even while rescuing others, they can become victims themselves.
