8 Children Hurt, 2 Critically, In I-5 Rollover Crash

A rollover collision across both north and southbound Interstate 5 at Dupont injured eight children, two of them critically.

The crash blocked several lanes in both directions at Mounts Road and was reopened by 4:30 p.m.

Washington State Patrol trooper Brandy Kessler said that just after 1 p.m. Tuesday, a Honda Civic traveling southbound lost control and struck a Ford Expedition with 10 people inside.

VIDEO: I-5 Crash Near Dupont Injures 8 Children, 2 Women SLIDESHOW: Children Critically Hurt In Rollover Crash

Troopers said the Expedition was struck so hard that it hit a Jersey barrier and flipped over several times before landing on its wheels in the northbound lanes of I-5.

RAW VIDEO: Smashed Cars, Debris On I-5

Kessler said the two adults and eight children inside the SUV were not wearing seatbelts and two of the children, a 3-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl, were ejected from the Ford. One woman in the SUV was also ejected.

At least one child was flown to Harborview Medical Center with brain trauma, Kessler said. The other children were taken to Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma for their injuries.

The two adults, a 41-year-old woman and a 31-year-old pregnant woman, were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tacoma.

The 20-year-old driver of the Honda Civic was arrested for suspicion of vehicular assault and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and then released pending further investigation. That man, who is from Federal Way, was not seriously injured.

The crash caused heavy backups, at least 10 miles in both directions.

On Wednesday, Kessler said the kids hurt in the crash were expected to be released from the hospital Wednesday or early Thursday.