Update: 4 hospitalized after 4-vehicle crash at West Marginal/Highland Park Way

(WSB photos: Vehicles at the lower end of the crash scene, W. Marginal/HP Way)
4:14 PM: Big emergency response to West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way SW, where a reported crash started as a small response but has grown to half a dozen SFD units – three vehicles and five people hurt. Avoid the area if you can. It’s been raining heavily for a while now so it’s a challenge to get just about anywhere.

4:44 PM: We are at the crash scene. It’s at the bottom of HP Way hill, blocking uphill lanes. Downhill getting through but slowly – avoid.

4:49 PM: We are told 4 vehicles were involved, 4 people taken to the hospital but no life-threatening injuries so TCIS is -not- being called out. Tow trucks are starting to arrive.

(Vehicle at upper end of crash scene, HP Way westbound/uphill lanes – firefighters had to cut away part of it to get someone out)
5:17 PM: Again, even though some traffic is getting through, avoid the area until there’s word everything is cleared – it’s slow going even in the directions that are open – we are back at HQ (adding photos), and West Marginal to the south (White Center-bound) was slow too. Even though TCIS won’t be involved, clearing the scene will likely take some time, with four vehicles plus debris to be cleared.

6:07 PM: Texter says the scene is clear – Metro has also messaged that Route 131, which goes through that area, is back to normal.

Ryan caple December 23, 2014 (4:24 pm)

I saw it happen. The idiot in the white little truck that was going 80mph down west marginal passing us in the middle lane ran the red light! I feel sorry for everyone hurt! Pisses me off that given how bad the visibility was he would jeopardize other people’s safety.

Good Driver December 23, 2014 (4:33 pm)

It would help if people slowed down. The vast majority of people driving around West Seattle are doing 10-15 mph over the posted limit, including many reading this post … slow down!
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These aren’t all low lifes or inexperienced drivers. Every day I see moms & dads flying. Oh that’s right because *you* are a *good* driver & the problem is everyone else on the road.
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Well I have news for you, if *YOU* are driving 10-15 mph over the posted limit (or more) then thanks neighbor but *YOU* are the problem in West Seattle.

nicole December 23, 2014 (4:59 pm)

I’ve lived at the top of HP Way for 23 years and this is like top 3 worst accidents I’ve seen at this intersection. Just got home from down there, the scene goes from up the hill, spilling out completely into the intersection. Now the hills gonna be another speed trap with cops parked up and down both sides giving tickets. Good job.

Amanda December 23, 2014 (5:04 pm)

Passed through there about 7 minutes ago. Only one lane coming down Highland Park Way and none going up. All the up lanes & most of the intersection are ER vehicles & ER people, plus wrecked vehicles. I saw 3 crashed cars in intersection & going up the hill. So hope all are ok.

Amy December 23, 2014 (5:19 pm)

West Marginal is terrible for the afternoon/evening commute. The speed limit is 40 mph and I am constantly getting tailgated (yes, I’m in the righthand lane unless I”m passing someone). We all are in hurry, but driving recklessly to get someplace faster just isn’t worth it.

AM December 23, 2014 (5:33 pm)

still a lot of traffic, but I just saw all of the cops leave. Ryan, I’m so happy you were safe though. Everyone please drive safely!
Angela M.

WSB December 23, 2014 (5:37 pm)

Metro just sent an alert that Route 131 is back to regular operation so the scene must be clear – won’t be able to go back and check for a while, so if anyone has been through and can confirm (when you can, safely, not while at the wheel, please!) – let us know. Thanks.

ChefJoe December 23, 2014 (5:35 pm)

@Good Driver, all accounts suggest the issue in this crash was not someone only exceeding the 30 mph arterial street by 10-15 mph, but significantly faster, through a red light, and in heavy rain.

wb December 23, 2014 (5:51 pm)

Thanks for covering this. Nice commute home. Really appreciated being stuck behind a bloated SUV so I couldn’t see a thing or tell what was going on for many minutes. Hope everyone is OK.

WSB December 23, 2014 (5:57 pm)

We in turn thank the person who texted us about it – we had heard early word of a crash but only one unit was originally dispatched, then came the text from someone saying it looked big/bad, and when we rechecked the 911 log, the response had grown to 6 SFD units and that meant we definitely had to go check it out. We always appreciate tips to 206-293-6302, text/voice, when people can safely/legally use their phone.

Good Driver December 23, 2014 (5:52 pm)

@ChefJoe, this is one crash on one day. My comment is pretty obvious, people drive too fast in West Seattle … wet pavement, dry pavement, red, yellow or green lights … it doesn’t matter.
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Anyone who thinks that driving 10-15 mph over the speed limit is not a problem IS THE PROBLEM.
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@Nicole – what a terrible thing the police might start radars & issuing tickets … ummm are you speeding? If so then you SHOULD get a ticket!

AJP December 23, 2014 (6:18 pm)

Amen, Good Driver! You are 100% correct!

Tetchi December 23, 2014 (6:19 pm)

I agree with previous posts. People are driving way too fast in West Seattle these days. It is common place to see people doing 60 mph + on the WS Bridge.

JanS December 23, 2014 (7:13 pm)

Good driver…I was just going to comment…if Nicole and others don’t want a speed trap there , then DON’T SPEED…then you’ll have nothing to worry about.

dsa December 23, 2014 (7:21 pm)

Please note that the witness in the first post said the errant vehicle *ran* the red light. Even at the speed limit there likely would have been a nasty crash.

Rick December 23, 2014 (7:33 pm)

Was the SUV retaining some of this water?

ChefJoe December 23, 2014 (7:55 pm)

OK, so we understand that Good Driver’s main frustration is with drivers breaking speed limits.

Mine is Seattle’s shortsightedness with trying to slow down urban highway corridors rather than embrace crosswalks and lights and 45 mph limits on designated and appropriately improved roads. That and the people who stop traffic to slowly go through searching for a place to street park and then violating the law about not backing up when it will obstruct traffic so they can parallel park.
http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.605

Of course, once you start running against lights I think you’re doomed to high probability of an accident.

Me me me me December 23, 2014 (8:44 pm)

Agree with Good driver, tired of getting tailgated on regular arterials with a posted speed of 30. WE ALL have places to get to… One car length ahead isn’t gonna help…Certain drivers don’t give an f , they are obviously more important than others.

David December 23, 2014 (8:48 pm)

I think what EVERYONE can agree on is that people are HORRIBLE drivers. Whether it’s purposeful bad behavior (speeding, drunk) or just stupid behavior (distracted). I for one cannot WAIT till self driving cars. Sure they’ll be some accidents, but 100 fold less. Besides “if it only saves one life” isn’t it worth it? :)

I can imagine people in 50 years not believing we used to let idiots just get behind the wheel of a 1 ton vehicle traveling 25mph to 80mph and relying on their good judgement, reflexes and luck, driving home from bars, in the rain, in the dark.

G December 23, 2014 (8:53 pm)

Driving WAY too fast for the conditions! California Ave is a like a speedway. This is just not seasonal rush, I see this all the time. Self-absorbed people.

Seattlite December 23, 2014 (9:10 pm)

I hope everyone involved in the accident is okay.
I drive according to the posted speed limit which totally irritates a lot of WS drivers. The thing is the faster you drive the less control you have…add that to distractions such as texting, talking on phones…deadly combination. SPD did a good job of calming Admiral Way. Looking all ways before driving through a changed green light is what I do in case an idiot runs a red light. I’ve noticed that lots of people don’t stop at stop signs either.

Maggie December 23, 2014 (9:36 pm)

I do the speed limit all the way across the West Seattle Bridge (40, 45, 40), and get passed by vehicles 100% of the time. Would love to know where you ‘good drivers’ are supposedly driving! Cause it ain’t the WSB. Nor 35th, nor Fauntleroy, nor California… #SlowDown

drahcir61 December 23, 2014 (10:47 pm)

If you want West Seattle to be a safe place to live, a better community for everyone … then start acting like it.
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If you read WS Blog then clearly you care about this community, so start acting like it!
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Life isn’t difficult, people *MAKE* life difficult.

Chuck and Sally's Van Man December 23, 2014 (11:44 pm)

@Ryan Caple: Please tell me you waited around to tell the police what you saw? I’ve been in your place before and I know the value of giving the cops an eyewitness report. Maybe it was obvious this jack wagon was at fault, maybe not?

Hope all who were injured are okay. Hope this guy get the hit with the book.

@Rick: The SUV retaining some of this water? Is that humor or something else?

Wyman December 24, 2014 (10:48 am)

Ryan..glad you’re ok!! Hopefully the guy does some serious jail time for the stunt he pulled.

Wyman

Sandra December 24, 2014 (8:13 pm)

I was involved in the accident & was driving the white suburban that they had to use the jaws of life to get myself & my passenger out. We are all doing better but still in pain with no serious injuries.

I would like to know if RYAN CAPLE was the gentlemen that was there talking to me…..

joel December 24, 2014 (11:40 pm)

good driver…it would help if the cops themselves did not speed up and down highland park hill. I live at the top of it and the cops are the ones going the fastest. and they aren’t on calls as if they were they would not be stopping at the interest ion at the bottom of the hill…they are just driving around town speeding. several months ago the cops themselves were in an accident on highland park….people should not speed but it’s frustrating to see 4 cops in a speed trap on the hill but when we called 911 for a mugging they took over an hour to arrive….we were told it was ‘shift change’.

Heylady December 26, 2014 (11:21 am)

Fess up, Ryan Caple. Sandra, thank God you are okay. It is a miracle you and your passenger are okay. God must know something that Ryan and any of us does not.

Mel December 26, 2014 (9:55 pm)

Let me guess – someone’s preaching about “slowing the heck down” as if this driver would have listened to anyone (he wouldn’t even respect red lights at a MAJOR intersection, so good luck there).
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Negligence and idiocy has been a problem since there have been vehicles to be negligent with, from the horse-and-buggy days. And it will continue to be a problem. Even when all cars are driverless, someone will “hack” his car and cause big problems. You can’t fix stupid.
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But I guess as long as it makes you feel good about yourself, preaching to the 20 people in this comment thread who are likely as “good” as you, do what you gotta do.

Shaunita December 30, 2014 (6:00 pm)

I was the passenger of the white SUV…Im bless to be able to sit with my two beautiful little girls that I’m so grateful to say was not with us that day as they always are…I would love to say thank you to the man that stayed by are sides the hole time and to everyone that had us in their prayers as for everyone else that also was hurt…I would say how I really feel about what happened but I’ll keep that inside and just be bless to be here…thank you all God is Good

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