UPDATE: Seattle Parks truck crashes into Roxhill Park restroom building; man, child hurt

(WSB photo)

3:59 PM: Police are investigating a bizarre crash right now – a Seattle Parks pickup truck into the side of the restroom building at Roxhill Park, with one person hurt before he could get out of the way. Police tell us they’re trying to find out whether the driver had fallen asleep in the truck or hit the accelerator without realizing it was in “drive,” but whatever the case, the truck hit a man who suffered an arm injury, and then hit the building’s brick wall before stopping. Along with that man, the Parks driver is being evaluated, as is a child, our photographer reports. The building damage does not appear major, but we’ll check with Parks tomorrow.

SUNDAY NIGHT: A commenter says her husband and 2-year-old child are the ones injured at Roxhill Park and that both are seriously hurt, with her child being transferred to Harborview with a skull fracture.

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: SPD tells us the report isn’t available in its system yet; meantime, here’s the statement Parks sent us when we asked several questions about the incident, the driver’s status, and the building’s condition:

On Sunday, August 20, at approximately 3:20 pm, a Seattle Parks and Recreation vehicle, driven by an SPR staff member, unintentionally collided with the Roxhill Park restroom. In process, two citizens were injured.

The Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Department responded to scene, and a 2-year old child and a 47-year old man were transported to the hospital in stable condition.

Currently, the Seattle Parks and Recreation safety staff are conducting an investigation.

At this time, we believe that the injured child has been transferred to Harborview and that the injured adult is still in recovery as well. We are wishing a speedy recovery to those injured in this incident.

The men’s-restroom side of the building, where this happened, was closed off when we went by to look earlier today.

15 Replies to "UPDATE: Seattle Parks truck crashes into Roxhill Park restroom building; man, child hurt"

  • DP August 20, 2017 (5:29 pm)

    Parks and Wreck. 

    • Alki Resident August 20, 2017 (7:33 pm)

      Ha, I see what you did there.

  • West is best August 20, 2017 (6:21 pm)

    Has anyone called the number yet on the yellow bumper sticker?

  • aa August 20, 2017 (8:48 pm)

    this has texting while driving written all over it!

    • WSB August 20, 2017 (9:16 pm)

      This did not happen “while driving” on a street – it happened from the parking lot, which is separated from 29th SW. Are you familiar with Roxhill Park? There is angled parking pointed right at that building, on the south end of the lot along the west side of the park, and both the initial scanner discussion and what police said at the scene indicated that the truck headed toward the building from a parking spot.

  • Sarah Wendkos August 20, 2017 (8:54 pm)

    I’m the wife of the man hit and mother of the child. My husband has a badly broken wrist and sacrum. Our 2 year old child has a skull fracture and is being transferred and admitted to Harborview

    • WSB August 20, 2017 (9:08 pm)

      Sorry to hear that and thank you for the update. Our photographer spoke to your husband briefly but everyone was still being evaluated so we had only preliminary information as is usually the case at incident scenes. – TR

    • Steve August 20, 2017 (9:09 pm)

      Ugggh… sorry to read this. Hope the family recovers rapidly.

    • Cait August 20, 2017 (9:27 pm)

      I’m so sorry to hear this. Thinking of you three. :(

    • Ajwren August 20, 2017 (11:21 pm)

      Sarah, I am so sorry!!  Let this community know what you need. I’m sure friends and family are helping out in the short term. The community is here for the long term. Praying for your son and husband..

  • WS Lifer August 21, 2017 (7:48 am)

     Here’s a good way to start to help. https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/127453

     And prayers of course are always good.  

    • Kristin August 21, 2017 (2:24 pm)

      Hi,

      I witnessed this crash along with my friend (who called 911) and my own 2 year old, and I would love to help out with the meal train. There are no instructions. Should food just be left on the porch on the day that I select?

      • Eli Wendkos August 22, 2017 (7:11 pm)

        Hi Kristin,

        I am the dad from this incident. I would love to hear from you what you saw and see if it matches what I saw. Also I don’t know if you’d be willing to give a statement to my insurance company but that would be super helpful. In any case thank you for your kindness generosity and help we are all recovering and welcome the incredible Community Support that we’ve seen.

         Eli wendkos

  • Kristin August 24, 2017 (9:27 am)

    Hi Eli,

    Sorry for the late reply. I’m not a great witness as all I saw from my angle is the truck heading toward the building, but I’m happy to give whatever statements you need. My friend, Nicole, was closer to the incident and called 911 and pretty much saw most of the aftermath. She is short with very curly hair; not sure if you remember her in the chaos. I’d be happy to put the two of you in touch if you can let me know how best to get in touch with you. I can send a Facebook message?

    • Eli Wendkos August 24, 2017 (11:07 am)
       Hi Kristen,
      Thank you so much. Yes you can contact me on Facebook directly, and you you can use the same method to put me in touch with your friend. I welcome any and all information as at this point I’m still trying to understand everything that happened.
      Thank you again,
      ELI

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