UPDATE: 37th/Alaska, Chelan/W. Marginal crashes

6:47 PM: The crash on the SFD 911 log for 37th and Alaska has traffic diverting from both the eastbound and westbound directions on Alaska, per a texter. If you’re headed out, avoid for now.

7:03 PM: The crash is blocking the westbound side of Alaska but firefighters are directing traffic around it, both ways.

We’re heading next to a crash Russ has been tweeting about, a motorcycle down by Chelan and West Marginal.

Bike's console 10 ft from rest of bike @westseattleblog @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/7LXdp1LCMG

— Russ Walker (@russ_walker) March 19, 2016

Avoid that area too.

7:16 PM: SFD was clearing from the corner east of Chelan Cafe; medic unit headed out toward the eastbound low bridge. No info on injuries but no evidence of setup for the level of investigation that life-threatening injuries would require.

7:31 PM: Just went back through both areas. Chelan scene was totally clear, no fire, no police. The motorcycle is still on a patch of greenery by the sidewalk. On Alaska, SFD, SPD, and two crashed cars are still there.

Austin March 18, 2016 (7:15 pm)

I saw a group of abot 7-8 motorcycles going 100+ mph on west marginal way. I belive that the guy be Chelan Cafe was one of them.

WSB March 18, 2016 (7:23 pm)

Russ, who was at the scene (and is a journalist), says a witness told him a car cut off the motorcycle. Just b/c there were speeders in the area doesn’t mean all m/c’s in the vicinity were speeding any more than you can say all cars in the area are speeders b/c of the ones I’m hearing while pulled off Marginal …

RichG March 18, 2016 (7:16 pm)

Less than minute before passing this crash, we were passed by group of 6-8 motorcycles going 100+ on West Marginal northbound. Can’t say for sure this biker was one of that group, but timing is highly correlated. Police may be able to estimate speed based on how far the bike flew and the damage to it.

Dahkota March 19, 2016 (8:50 am)

I was at the scence of the motorcycle accident. Biker was with a crew of about 6-8 bikers I was driving behind them. Me and another car were behind the biker when he lost control. The biker was going fast and hit a pot hole. The pot hole flew him into the air and he hit the side walk at the same speed of his bike. His body kept flying. His bike landed about 10 ft from him. it was horrifying to watch. Me and the other car in front of me stopped. We were both first aid and cpr certified. We made him as comfortable as possible until the paramedics arrived at the scence. Also when he crashed, his entire crew left him/ kept going! I felt so bad for him!

smokeycretin9 March 19, 2016 (9:41 am)

Ugggh! Nice group of guys huh?

As a motorcyclist, Two things make me angry about this story.

1. His pals all took off and left him. He could have died.

2. The condition of the street and speed led to his accident. Both of these could have been prevented. The roads of this city are 3rd world at best.

Kjellvis March 21, 2016 (7:51 am)

As of Saturday I heard the rider was in critical condition in the hospital. Has anyone else heard any updates?

WSB March 21, 2016 (12:14 pm)

Without a name, we can’t check, and traffic-incident reports are all but impossible to obtain. If you know or think you know the rider’s name, you are welcome to e-mail us – editor@westseattleblog.com – and we can check with Harborview. – TR

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