Stabbing in Kent sends two to hospital, blocks traffic on busy highways

KENT, Wash. -- A fight between two men Tuesday snarled traffic at two busy highways and sent both men to the hospital with stab wounds.

It happened just before noon at SR 99 and SR 516 in Kent where officers had to block traffic during the investigation.

Police say the fight started at a RapidRide bus stop and ended with two bleeding men in the middle of traffic.

Kent Police and the Washington State Patrol blocked traffic at the intersection for about an hour.

Investigators said the fight started when one man approached another man and then stabbed him. Police said the victim then chased the assailant into oncoming traffic and stabbed him back, leaving stunned drivers reaching for their phones to call for help.

While police and medics raced to the scene, traffic backed up while investigators sorted out what happened.

Police said the two men were lucky they weren’t hit by cars during the scuffle.

“You’re talking about not only the altercation that occurred, but you’re talking about a busy intersection,” said Kent Police Commander Jarod Kasner. “It’s quite surprising if you’re a commuter on the roadways.”

Both men were transported to hospitals with injuries; their conditions have not yet been released.