Update: 35th closed 3+ hours after car hits man near Camp Long
(video of traffic detour added 10:41 pm)
Just got a text message that 35th is blocked at Dawson (map). 911 log says it’s a medic response, “7 per rule,” which signifies generally that a major injury is involved or suspected. En route to find out more. 9:25 PM UPDATE: On the south side of this incident, 35th is actually blocked off at Brandon (map) – that’s where police are turning people around. This is near Camp Long. 9:30 PM UPDATE: Just got word from Karen, who lives nearby, that it’s a car vs. pedestrian crash. 9:38 PM UPDATE: The person who was hit has been taken to the hospital already. Our person at the scene is trying to find out more about the circumstances of the collision. At least one TV crew is there too and we’re told a Seattle Police lieutenant will be briefing media shortly. 9:55 PM UPDATE: The area is blocked off as a crime scene; still awaiting those briefing details. We have no confirmation yet on the victim’s condition; depending on how seriously the victim was hurt, you can expect 35th to be closed for some hours to come. The last deadly crash on 35th was last fall, when 85-year-old Oswald Clement was hit and killed crossing at 35th/Othello near the fire station (WSB coverage included this story about a tribute to Mr. Clement’s remarkable life). The last deadly pedestrian crash anywhere in West Seattle was the one in February near Westwood Village that killed 55-year-old Teri Soike (WSB followup here). 10:12 PM UPDATE: OK, here’s the official info from Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith: The pedestrian is a man around 40 years old, hit by a car when he ran out into the street chasing after his dog. He has head injuries but that’s the only information police will provide on his condition. The driver who hit him is apparently not hurt. The dog is reportedly OK. Police say more investigators are on the way and there’s no indication how long 35th will remain closed. Adding scene video momentarily. Will check back on the situation in the hours to come. 10:53 PM UPDATE: Added video – the clip at the top of this post shows where police are redirecting traffic (the vehicle involved in the crash, a silver SUV, was out of view at the time); this next clip is Lt. Smith talking about what happened, with a few more details:
We’ll let you know when 35th reopens. 11:38 PM UPDATE: Still closed, in case you were wondering. 12:28 AM UPDATE: Just a few minutes ago, the SUV was towed, the police cars cleared, and 35th reopened in both directions. Getting an update on the victim’s condition from hereon out may be difficult, but we will see what we can find out in the morning. 1:04 AM UPDATE: Lt. Smith tells us there’s no major update on the victim’s condition, aside from the description of his injuries as “extensive.”
Longtime WSB’er requesting your “good thoughts”
From the WSB Forums: Someone who’s been participating in WSB comments for almost as long as the site’s been around – then the forums when they opened – and e-mail news tips too — is now making a little news himself. Mike, aka “miws,” revealed in this forum post that he’s being treated for a rare form of leukemia. It’s very treatable, he explains, but quite a shock – he went into the hospital with what he thought was severe asthma, and instead doctors discovered “hairy cell leukemia.” He’s hoping to be home in his West Seattle apartment soon. We asked if there’s anything he needs – Mike says the “good thoughts” are it – he’s got several other great support networks that already sprang into action. Mike’s positive attitude (and lively WS memories) have enhanced many a comment/forum thread, so we’re sending profuse “good thoughts” from here and hoping you’ll do the same.
Petition drive to bag the bag fee: West Seattle signature-gathering
Went down the hill to Thriftway in Morgan Junction a short time ago; as we got out of our car, the gentleman you see in the photo above was a few steps ahead of us, heading for a spot outside the store’s southwest-facing door. He identified himself as a paid signature-gatherer for petitions pursuing a referendum to cancel the 20-cent disposable-bag fee (and foam ban) just approved by the City Council (original WSB report, with 60+ comments, here). He said he wasn’t sure who’s sponsoring the referendum (we’ll be looking that up shortly), just that he’s got a contract to get paid to gather signatures. And from a quick look at the petitions (photo at left) after he’d been in business just about 15 minutes, he seemed to be having a success rate of almost one signature per minute. MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: Still trying to figure out how to find out who’s behind this. Found the city rules for referendums, and they note that you do not have to file anything in advance to circulate petitions – and you’re not supposed to bring them in till you think you have at least the required number (almost 15,000) – so this wouldn’t necessarily be on record anywhere.
WSB “Jobs Offered” Forum: Free way to find a new employee
Several new job openings have appeared in the past few days in the WSB “West Seattle Jobs Offered” forum, so we wanted to remind you it’s there as a FREE service, for businesses to post West Seattle jobs, and for jobseekers to browse WS jobs. Our only requirement is that the job(s) must be physically located in West Seattle, and please let us know when the job’s filled so we can remove your listing (otherwise, there are no artificial limits so far like “posting good for a week only”).
Happening right now: HPIC’s humongous rummage sale
The Highland Park Improvement Club (NOT the same as the HP Action Committee, though HPAC meets at the HPIC’ historic facility) is having its big annual rummage sale right now, 12th/Holden, under way till 3 pm. (If you live in the area, you can also join in its potluck starting at 1 pm, but everyone’s welcome to come browse/shop!) HPIC, by the way, is the oldest community club in Seattle – founded in 1919, which is why its web address is hpic1919.org. We stopped by the sale site a little while ago to get some pix and found one that already had a story behind it, two hours into the sale:
Becca told us a man asked her how much she’d sell the bear hat for. She said, three bucks. He said, here’s five – gave her the money – and said “Just keep wearing the hat.” So who knows what you might find there; tere’s a map to the sale’s location.
More West Seattle sidewalk work, starting tomorrow
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Thanks to Kate for e-mailing to share news of a project that’s about to begin in the area on the map above:
I have received a “Bridging the Gap” door flyer from SDOT announcing that it will start construction this Monday, August 11, of a paved walkway on the north side of SW Forest Street from Walnut (Hiawatha Park) to Fairmount (top of Fairmount Ravine) to 39th SW. Here is the flyer’s text …:
– Location of work: SW Forest Street between Walnut Ave. SW and 39th Ave. SW
– Beginning on August 11, 2008, our crews will be working to install a new walkway with a concrete curb in your neighborhood.
– We will be placing temporary no parking signs in various areas.
– This project should be completed within 2 weeks, weather permitting.
– If you have any questions or concerns please call the asphalt paving crew chief at 206-233-2512.
– Thank you for your patience and understanding during our construction phase.
Kate also sent along the attached specs for what’s being built; click here to see them. It’s a $70,000 project, according to this city document (page 14).
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