A Monday morning drive on Interstate 5 in Washington state is now at the center of an attempted murder case. Police say a mother’s words and actions inside her SUV left both of her daughters hurt, and that the attack continued after the vehicle stopped.
According to Law&Crime, Janieka Ellington, 35, faces charges of attempted murder and assault in Pierce County. Her daughters are 15 and 10 years old. A probable cause affidavit obtained by the outlet lays out the allegations, which have not been tested in court.
According to the affidavit, the trip began well before sunrise. The girls told police their mother woke them overnight and said “people were following them and they needed to leave.” One daughter said she saw no one and thought her mom was “delusional.” In an unrelated South Carolina case, a mother was accused of attacking her children after experiencing visions.
What police say happened on I-5
The affidavit says “Ellington was driving extremely erratic prior to the collision,” citing those statements. Around 9 a.m., her Volkswagen Tiguan hit a concrete barrier on the left shoulder of southbound I-5.
The girls said their mother pulled out a knife while driving to their uncle’s house. They told police she “tried to kill us.” Police also say Ellington told them during the drive that she would kill the children before the people following them could.
The attack allegedly continued after the crash. Police say Ellington stabbed the younger girl while she was stuck in the vehicle. She then went after the older girl outside. The affidavit says she was yelling “I’m going to kill you!” as she chased her.
Two U.S. Army soldiers stepped in. According to the affidavit, Sgt. Ricardo A. Nunez pinned Ellington to the ground while Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Hytower helped remove the knife. Nunez told KOMO, “We took the knife away from her.”
Sgt. Alexis McKay, a Washington National Guard combat medic, was also on scene. She told KOMO the group “were able to disarm her and then pin her to the ground.”
Both girls went to the hospital. The 15-year-old had a fractured tibia and a stab wound to her thigh, among other injuries. The 10-year-old had an injured ankle, a cut on her hand and severe back pain.
Police said they smelled alcohol on Ellington at the scene. At the hospital, she allegedly told investigators she had been “drinking whiskey straight” the night before. The affidavit says she “never went to bed.”
Prosecutors said they are “gravely concerned” for the victims and the public. They pointed to the crash on a busy freeway, which they described as “an intentional and purposeful act.”
A judge ordered a mental health evaluation. Ellington is being held without bail. A competency hearing is set for Oct. 20.
Published: Oct 10, 2026 08:47 am