UPDATE: Motorcycle rider killed after collision leads to fall from bridge ramp

UPDATED 7:39 PM: Two scenes, one incident, working right now. We’re at lower Spokane St. at East Marginal, where a motorcycle rider apparently fell to the surface, off the bridge, where the motorcycle was found:

The rider is reported by SFD to have “critical” injuries.

Police are on the high rise bridge and here at Spokane/Marginal. They’re also, according to the scanner, closing the southbound 99 offramp to the westbound bridge so they can figure out “where the point of impact” was. Spokane/East Marginal is closed all ways. Be aware, if you’re trying to get to/from Harbor Island, that besides this incident, the weekend-long construction-project closures have resulted in detours.

7:51 PM UPDATE: We’re still at Spokane/Marginal. Traffic is being allowed northbound on East Marginal, but surface Spokane St. is closed west of East Marginal.

That and the southbound 99 ramp to the westbound bridge – which is right over the scene where the rider was found (photo above) – will both be investigation scenes for the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad and will be closed TFN.

8:32 PM: To get back to West Seattle, we took the westbound bridge from the 1st Avenue South ramp, and saw two SPD cars on the left shoulder of the bridge before the high rise, with the injured rider’s motorcycle still on the ground. SPD is describing this as a “single-vehicle collision,” so far, but the investigation is continuing. No further information on the rider yet.

9:58 PM: So far as we know, both closures are still in effect. If we don’t hear anything official by 10:30, we’ll go check. Meantime, we have added some photos above.

11:25 PM: Live, albeit blurry, video via the SDOT Travelers’ Map, for 99/Lander, shows the offramp to the West Seattle Bridge is still closed.

11:29 PM: And moments later … per scanner, confirmed by that video feed, police have JUST reopened the ramp. Their investigation continues on the roadway below.

ADDED SUNDAY, MIDDAY: In comment discussion below, family members say the rider has died. SPD hasn’t yet released any additional information.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON: The rider’s family tells us his name was Ryan, and he was 41 years old.

Charles September 10, 2016 (7:51 pm)

We were just driving in the middle lane approaching the bridge when the riderless bike passed us from the 99 on-ramp and continued coasting for anther 200-300 yards swerving until it hit the guardrail and finally stopped. We called 911 to report the strange sight. Hoping the rider is OK.

Puzzled September 10, 2016 (8:03 pm)

So a motorcycle driver went over the guardrails on the bridge and fell below to Spokane Street? How terrifying. I’m amazed that the rider wasn’t killed on impact. Was it a collision that forced the motorcycle off the road?

WSB September 10, 2016 (8:18 pm)

I don’t think they know yet. That’s why TCIS was assigned – to look for all the clues that might solve the mystery. We have just come over the high-rise bridge; the motorcycle and two SPD cars are on the left shoulder by the median. No photo and I didn’t get a good enough look even to guess what kind of motorcycle it is. Aside from the closed ramp from 99, the high-rise bridge isn’t being affected by this much.

Colby September 10, 2016 (8:26 pm)

To motorcycle was a red Suzuki or similar. Had front end damage, but assuming that was from hitting the median.

We went over when PD had both the far right and far left lanes closed.

Bizarre September 10, 2016 (8:36 pm)

We too were just getting on the westbound bridge from I-5 when all the cars slowed down in front of us and then we realized there was a motorcycle going fast but with no rider. It swerved and bounced off the right rail then sped over to the median and crashed. We wondered at what point the rider and cycle parted, as it was totally surreal to see it driving by itself.

Karen September 10, 2016 (9:02 pm)

I must have gone by just after it had happened coming from the southbound 99 ramp to the westbound bridge. I saw the motorcycle on the left ,and a guy was standing by the bike looking over the edge. Two cars were stopped on the right side and a couple were looking over from that side and an emergency vehicle was heading east below. Hope the rider will be ok — amazing to even survive such a fall.

Kristan September 11, 2016 (1:05 am)

We were heading east bound and missed seeing the rider go over the bridge. However, we saw the riderless motorcycle swerve across all lanes of traffic (from North wall to South wall) then stay upright and moving as it hit the wall between easy and West bound lanes 3x (just bumping along) and STILL continue westbound. Cars were just beginning to slow and stop. It was disconcerting and we realized the rider had gone over as he was nowhere ON the bridge. I hope to hear more about how he is doing. Emergency services were already en route when we got through to them.

charlie September 11, 2016 (2:01 am)

I think this may have been a friend of mine. I just read a post from his aunt on FB a couple hours ago about him being in a motorcycle accident and in critical care now at Harborview. :(

Mikah September 11, 2016 (4:11 pm)

Charlie, Please contact me. I am his younger brothers girlfriend.

4buildingroots@gmail.com

Jeannie September 11, 2016 (2:02 am)

Hope the rider recovers, and let’s not forget how potentially dangerous a swerving riderless motorcycle can be. It’s lucky no one else was injured. And a reminder for cars and motorcycles alike: Please don’t speed on the bridge, formerly known as the West Seattle Freeway.

Alki Resident September 11, 2016 (8:45 am)

Charlie please update everyone if you can. Im a rider and this is heartbreaking. Praying hard for a full recovery.

Mikah September 11, 2016 (9:09 am)

Hello everyone. The rider is my brother. Please, ANY information you have would mean the world to our family. Feel free to email me… 4buildingroots@gmail.com

Ruth Belcher September 11, 2016 (9:20 am)

Hi Charlie, yes please keep us posted and is there anything that we can do to help? I’m a motorcycle rider and our community at large has heard about the accident and would like to know how your friend is doing.

Chris Knox September 11, 2016 (9:34 am)

Stepdad need information on accident

BB September 11, 2016 (9:56 am)

Chris,

I do hope your stepson fully recovers, my heart goes out to you and your family. I’ve been thinking about the accident since we drove by last night. I think you need someone who was driving southbound on 99 who would have had a better view. In that case you need to reach a broader audience than WSB. Can the police issue a statement looking for witnesses?

BB September 11, 2016 (9:41 am)

We drove by this last night not long after it happened. My husbands theory was maybe the rider took the curve to fast or hit something on the road because it doesn’t seem like another vehicle was involved. We were encouraged to hear he survived the fall…do so hope he makes it.

Mel September 11, 2016 (9:52 am)

Any word on his/her condition? That is a terrifying accident.

CKnox September 11, 2016 (10:13 am)

My son did not make it through the night and I need help to figure out what happened to his bike or if anyone saw anything in regards to the motorcycle accident

AMD September 11, 2016 (10:47 am)

So sorry for your loss, Chris.
AJ September 11, 2016 (12:01 pm)

I am so sorry for your loss.

I was coming off highway 5 South onto West Seattle bridge and noticed the motorcycle without the rider was traveling on the left side of the road along the median. It was doing at my guess around 30-35mph. It was two cars in front of us. After a long while it traveled to the right side of the road for a bit before crossing all the lanes again and ending on the left side median. I pulled over behind the motorcycle and turned it off and removed the key. I called 911 and once the police got there I handed the officer the key. He took my name and phone #. I asked about the rider and he said that they’re on scene 3/4 of a mile back. I never saw what happened to him but it must have just happened shortly before we noticed the motorcycle.

I know it is not much but this is all the information we have.
Guy September 11, 2016 (4:55 pm)

Chris, my condolences to you and your family. I’m sure this is a very difficult time. My wife and I were traveling westbound on the Bridge last night at about 11:45 p.m. There were still two or three police cars with their lights flashing, and your son’s motorcycle was upright, they must have picked it up and used the kickstand. I expect that the bike was impounded. If you haven’t located the bike yet you should contact the police first thing in the morning; I’m sure they’ll tell you the yard to where it was moved and what you’ll need to do to gain it’s release. Good luck to you and your family.
Chris September 11, 2016 (6:24 pm)

Chris it’s Christopher Polinsky I am so sorry Ryan was so amazing
Bill September 12, 2016 (8:27 am)

I am so sorry to hear of you loss cousin, God bless you and your family. We will be praying for comfort and for an answer as to what happened.

SR September 11, 2016 (10:48 am)

@Chris

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Maybe the Blog can write a follow up post to the accident and ask the communty if anyone has any information to reach out to you or the police department.

I know the community is here to help if we can.

WSB September 11, 2016 (11:02 am)

Before this sad news, I had already emailed the rider’s sister – any additional information they can share would help with a followup. So far there is nothing more from police and they might not be reachable until tomorrow.

J fox September 11, 2016 (11:23 am)

My deepest condolences to this man and his family. I knew it was bad when I figured out what happened after passing by.

Ruth Belcher September 11, 2016 (12:30 pm)

@Chris Knox

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. My deepest sympathies and condolences to you and your family.

ScubaFrog September 11, 2016 (2:03 pm)

Deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

Alki Resident September 11, 2016 (2:20 pm)

Im so very sorry he passed. I really hope they can get answers to what exactly happened. Prayers to everyone involved.

RS September 12, 2016 (8:41 am)

I am so very sorry. My deepest condolences to all family and friends.

Holli September 12, 2016 (11:08 am)

Hello everyone I am Holli, Ryan’s cousin. To anyone wanting to help contribute to his family during this unimaginable time, I have created this go fund me account for his family. We are shocked and saddened to lose such a wonderful man so unexpectedly. He will be missed so dearly by everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace. https://www.gofundme.com/27yfu524

CJKnox September 12, 2016 (7:43 pm)

All-

I am the riders younger brother, also an avid rider. With the skill of my brother (over 30 years) and how defensive he is, the facts aren’t adding up. I know that something caused this to happen, not pointing to driver error. I rodw this stretch of road 100 times with him, he could ride it with his eyes closed. At early evening, I could account for some sun glare, but that shouldn’t of sent him off the side of the median.

If you have any information, at all, please come forward and give this family some details to provide some closure. The police are asking for information, even if you think the information is not viable, it may very well be.

Thank you for your time.

WSB September 12, 2016 (7:47 pm)

Hi there. I’m hoping to write a followup tonight or tomorrow morning and that will get attention beyond the original story, which is now two days old, but I have a few questions – I will e-mail the address which you left (only visible to us as site owners) with your comment, so please watch your emailbox – Tracy

Nikki September 13, 2016 (11:05 am)

Thank you Tracy for reaching out for information for our family. Our hearts are aching right now and although nothing will bring Ryan back or change the outcome of this… Some of us can’t stop thinking about it, we keep trying to make sense of it. It will take some time to receive the reports from the SPD detective unit and any additional information provided to them will allow for accurate information for our family. With some closure we will be able to move forward with our healing and have some peace with our thoughts. – Nikki