West Seattle Crime Watch: Hit-run damages ‘very loved’ van

| Crime | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox, from Brittney:

Someone hit our parked camper van last night at the top of Erskine Way by the 7-Eleven (in the Junction). It was a pretty bad hit, with the entire front driver’s side being dented from the fender up and the driver’s side mirror being torn off. There must be significant damage to the car/truck that hit our vehicle. The van is an old 1987 GMC camper van, old but low mileage, very nice and very loved/used by our family. We do not insure it in the winter because we don’t drive it, so this damage hits hard. We would very much appreciate someone coming forward and taking responsibility, not necessarily to fix it to new but to at least make it driveable again.

Matt February 15, 2012 (1:34 pm)

We’re very sorry to hear your beloved family camper van was victim of a hit and run last night… Maybe an local WS autobody shop or handy man will lend a much needed hand to get the van back on the road so you can take the little ones site seeing to the beaches and mountains again..All the best and good luck!

Seattlite February 15, 2012 (2:17 pm)

The posted speed limit of that part of Erskine Way going sw is 20mph. Cars speed on Erskine Way 95% of the time. It’s no wonder more parked cars have not been hit. I wish you luck in someone coming forward. Even the speed bumps installed on Erskine Way don’t deter the speeders.

WsBoB February 15, 2012 (5:37 pm)

Arterials are 30 mph. I will have to look for the posted 20 mph sign. I have not seen it but will look for it tomorrow. I am sorry for your motorhome. People need to take responsibility for their actions. That is a narrow stretch of road. Maybe it is time to put it in your driveway or find storage. Those speed bumps are a joke on 48th. It took over a week to install and they do nothing. I do not have to slow down doing 30 mph.

RJB February 15, 2012 (5:56 pm)

*dislike* Maybe by letting local bodyshops know what happened they could be on the lookout for whoever did this, their car/van/truck must have some of your camper vans paint on it. Too bad people don’t always do the right thing. Did any of your neighbors hear anything? Hope they catch whoever did this. Best of luck.

Seattlite February 15, 2012 (7:49 pm)

WsBoB — Yes, arterials are 30mph. However, the city posted 15mph at each speed bump installation going n and s on Erskine Way. The 20mph sign at the top of Erskine Way going sw applies when driving the curves. All the changes in speed limits on Erskine Way can be confusing I guess — drivers should adhere to the posted speed limits if for no other reason but safety.

WsBoB February 15, 2012 (8:39 pm)

Yellow speed limit signs are “advisory” speed signs. That is why they are posted in yellow and not white. Yes, safety is key. As well as light, rain, cars, pedestrians, etc…If I believe there is no danger to myself and especially others, I travel that road at 30 mph.

Ace20604 February 16, 2012 (1:45 am)

I would “Advise” the person to still pay damages or hit and run is the case
.

A February 16, 2012 (4:51 am)

Brother and sis in law have had two cars hit an run a total of three times about a block away.

ME February 16, 2012 (6:26 am)

Sad … people need to be responsible when they damage other’s property.
But also a word of advise to others. Don’t park your vehicle on the street if you aren’t insuring it! It really should be insured even if parked in your own yard/driveway. You never know when some “bad person” will try to steal it, break in or who knows….

Danny February 16, 2012 (7:32 am)

I find it humorous when people complain about speeders in Seattle. This is the only major city I have ever been to, where the majority of the population routinely drives under posted the speed limit.

Hearing someone claim to believe that the yellow speed limits are firm and not advisory makes a lot of sense. I always wondered why I’d see people slowing way down for advisory speed limits. I just assumed they were insane as opposed to lacking in basic road sign knowledge.

ME February 16, 2012 (7:45 am)

Danny, don’t know where you drive! There are more speeders in West Seattle then even the freeway! Try getting on the road 6:30-7:30 am, during the week. You take your life in your hands trying to make a left hand turn or even trying to go the speed limit the person behind you honks and screams!!

JimmyG February 16, 2012 (9:16 am)

Please people, learn the law.
The only speed limit signs which require you to do the speed posted on them are the signs in white, those yellow ones are just a clue that you might want to slow down, they aren’t an order.
Yellow advisory signs (like on on ramps and off ramps on curves) are engineered to let you know of a curve and you can easily do 15 mph faster than the advisory sign and still be within the POSTED speed limit.

Seattlite February 16, 2012 (1:51 pm)

West Seattle drivers are smart enough to know the difference between yellow caution and white posted speed limit signs. What they don’t have is common sense in using the cautionary speeds when safety of others is involved — that’s what I observe everyday driving in WS.

Kayla February 23, 2012 (1:20 am)

I was in a hit and run about a month ago. There’s an article on wsb that was posted as well with a description of the car that hit me. Cars totaled, and SPD didn’t care enough to investigate, so my insurance is doing so. I’m sorry this happened to you, hopefully someone will step up to the plate and take responsibility. I’ll keep my fingers crossed, good luck!

Zach February 25, 2012 (9:00 pm)

How can you say there are more speeders in west seattle than the freeway? I couldnt speed if I wanted to since everyone in WS drives outbacks with wag more stickers and do 15 under the limit. Now about the hit and run that is too bad and I hope the person comes forward, but I doubt it.

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