Update: One person hurt in West Seattle Bridge crash

1:25 PM: This problem was first mentioned in our daily traffic watch, but since it hasn’t cleared yet, we’re escalating: There’s a multiple-vehicle crash just past the 99 ramp to the high-rise West Seattle Bridge, which is down to one lane at that spot – as currently shown on the “live” camera above – and WSB’ers tell us it’s backed up the Spokane Street Viaduct all the way to I-5. So if you have to get back to West Seattle sometime soon, consider taking 99 past the bridge, to enter via Highland Park. We’re checking to see if anyone was hurt in the crash.

2:04 PM: Bridge camera is showing a tow truck on scene.

4:03 PM: The scene is long cleared, but we have one other update: Only one person was taken to the hospital, according to Seattle Fire spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl – and that was just as a precaution, as his injuries were believed to be minor.

m December 5, 2013 (1:36 pm)

I came on the lower bridge to avoid accident. Not sure whats happening but we are at a stand still…its worse than the bridge with the accident

enough December 5, 2013 (1:39 pm)

Everyday.

Del Martini December 5, 2013 (1:42 pm)

I know the WSB had reported a few days ago, but not sure if this has been mentioned already today by the WSB or it’s readers, but this morning City Light and SDOT were installing the LED street lights on the High Bridge so traffic lanes and patterns are reconfigured. I imagine this crash may be a result of this change in lanes and flow.
Please, SLOW DOWN around the crews and each other.

Hillary December 5, 2013 (1:53 pm)

There was a bad accident about an hour ago. Still very backed up. Low bridge is better.

WSB December 5, 2013 (2:14 pm)

SDOT has moved the camera so we’re hoping that means the scene has cleared.

enough December 5, 2013 (2:20 pm)

@Del. Yeah I remember seeing a crew this morning in the very same location as the later accident.

Momoftwoboys December 5, 2013 (2:46 pm)

Any updates? Thanks!

WSB December 5, 2013 (2:57 pm)

Always the precariousness of traffic reporting – as best I can tell, it’s cleared; SDOT moved the cameras and all appears to be flowing normally. But remember that the lane closure for bridge-light work is scheduled to continue until 4 pm.

G December 5, 2013 (2:58 pm)

Saw it coming back on the C Line, gruesome accident. A truck was completely totaled. Looks like the airbags went off, hopefully that spared the passengers.

Joe Mamma December 5, 2013 (3:26 pm)

Is there some toxin distributed in the Seattle water supply that makes it impossible for people to drive without causing a pile up?

rider December 5, 2013 (3:58 pm)

Joe Mamma – it’s not the water, it’s texting while driving, or checking email or else.

WSB December 5, 2013 (4:05 pm)

I just added this above but for those who were concerned – SFD says only one person was hurt, and injuries were minor.

Alki resident December 5, 2013 (5:31 pm)

When are they going to ban pets on drivers laps too? All in the same day, a man had a lab on his lap while driving.Also, a woman had three dogs the sizes of toddlers on her lap and going under the speed limit because she couldn’t steer normal. It’s insane and risky for others if they were to cause an accident.

G December 5, 2013 (7:01 pm)

Yes, the texting here while driving is atrocious. Worse than California, but so is the overall understanding of the basic rules of the road

I wonder when drivers here are going to understand that when a pedestrian is coming TOWARDS you in a crosswalk, you as the motorist MUST stop, no matter how much room you think you have to safely turn. It’s illegal. Almost got hit today by a woman texting in a SUV who was too impatient to let me cross – and I’m a fast walker. Apparently felt getting her kid to karate was more important than anything else.

Never seen such impatient, rude drivers.

Westside45 December 5, 2013 (10:06 pm)

Hey G, try driving in Vancouver, BC. In my opinion the drivers there are worse. And they are on the metric system.

pupsarebest December 5, 2013 (11:01 pm)

Seattle drivers are consistently entitled, careless, clueless and contemptuous of the basic laws and rules of the road.
I bet at least 90% of the traffic snafus we endure daily around here are preventable, if only people would pay attention to what they are supposed to be focused on: Driving.