A suspected DUI crash in Puyallup, Washington, days before Christmas has left a pregnant woman and her two children with severe injuries, including a newborn expected to suffer lifelong disabilities, according to court records and police reports.
The collision occurred on Dec. 23, 2025, at the intersection of 31st Avenue Southeast and South Meridian. Authorities allege the crash was caused by 21-year-old Rex Graydon of Graham, who was driving while impaired and fleeing a traffic stop when his vehicle struck an SUV carrying a family of four.
The most critically injured victim was a 27-week pregnant woman, who sustained multiple pelvic fractures and was listed in critical condition following the crash. Due to the severity of her injuries, doctors performed an emergency C-section, delivering her son prematurely. Medical teams determined the newborn suffered a traumatic brain injury that is expected to result in lifelong disability.
The woman’s 3-year-old daughter was also hospitalized with serious injuries and is expected to require ongoing rehabilitation. The driver of the SUV, identified by family members as an off-duty Puyallup Tribal Police officer, was injured as well. Graydon was transported to a hospital after reportedly fading in and out of consciousness at the scene.
NEW: Newborn child suffers traumatic brain injury after a DUI crash forced a woman to have a pre-term C-section delivery at 27 weeks
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) December 27, 2025
A neurological team says the injury is expected to cause long term disability
The mother suffered multiple pelvic fractures. She remains in… pic.twitter.com/Pw2rCsAav2
According to investigators, a Puyallup police officer initially stopped Graydon in a Walmart parking lot after suspecting he was driving with a suspended license. Police say the officer observed signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, erratic behavior and the smell of marijuana.
Graydon allegedly fled the stop, nearly striking several vehicles as he exited the parking lot. Officers did not pursue but issued a broadcast alert. Minutes later, witnesses reported a vehicle matching Graydon’s description speeding through traffic and running a red light before colliding with the family’s SUV, triggering a multi-vehicle crash.
Graydon has been charged in Pierce County Superior Court with three counts of vehicular assault, each enhanced by DUI allegations, as well as reckless driving, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, failure to obey an officer, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He is being held on $250,000 bail. Toxicology results are pending.
Watch the video here,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU5Dqj3eCWA
Court records show Graydon’s license was revoked in October 2024. Since June 2023, he has received eight speeding tickets and was involved in two prior at-fault crashes, including one earlier this year.
The crash has drawn attention online following the release of surveillance footage and news coverage, though no fatalities were reported. The case remains active, with no additional updates announced as of Dec. 27, 2025.
