Several members of America’s National Guard forces are being credited with making sure that two children caught in a car crash on an interstate in Washington state did not get hurt further.
Not only were they threatened by the accident itself, but then their mother inexplicably started acting erratically and pulled out a knife.
Driving by, and within seconds on the scene of the crash, was Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Hytower, who is a practical nursing specialist who trains other soldiers.
“I tell my students all the time, it’s not just me talking out of a book; these are things we need to be ready for,” Hytower said.
The accident was on I-5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, where the soldiers were heading.
A local station reported the soldiers disarmed the woman and restrained her.
Sergeant First Class Jeff Hytower didn’t hesitate when he saw two young girls being attacked by their mother on the side of I-5 Monday. His training kicked in — and he stepped in to help protect them. It was an honor to meet Jeff and tell his story on @KING5Seattle. https://t.co/8m2UCryVWG
— Madeline Carter (@MCarterTV) October 8, 2026
Sgt. Ricardo Nunez was with Hytower, and the two were joined by combat medic Sgt. Alexis McKay in helping at the scene of the crash.
Hytower said soldiers were just trying help. McKay then explained, “The most senior of us yells very, very loudly, ‘She’s got a knife.'”
She allegedly was going for her teenage daughter.
Hytower said the training kicked in.
Nunez said, “I am glad I was there to help those girls and was just in the right place at the right time. I am also very glad the other two [soldiers] were there and that we were able to work together.”
The report cited court records in explaining Janieka Ellington was reportedly drinking heavily the night before and having suicidal thoughts.
KOMO reported, “The records say she believed someone was after her and that they were going to die. Investigators say she purposely crashed her vehicle on I-5 before trying to kill her daughter.”
She was ordered held, told to undergo a mental evaluation and faces several charges.
