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1. TarikAbouzied
   Member Profile

   Got stranded on an empty hill on SW 102nd St between 11th and 12th Ave just west of McClendon's. Pulled to the side and got out to put on some chains, and a van slid into a parked truck right in front of me. 10 minutes later, a small car slammed into my rear bumper and ricocheted into a Ford Explorer, causing both cars to slide into the van in front of me.

   At this point, some folks gathered around went to the top of the hill to steer people away from going down. I called 911 to tell them four cars had crashed on the same hill and asked them to send someone down to close the road or at least direct traffic away, but was told they were only responding to injuries. The operator called me back 3 minutes later to tell me that I could file a police report online if the insurance companies required it. Thanks for your concern!!!

   10 minutes later, a pickup truck slid to about an inch from my rear bumper. 20 minutes after that, another small car slammed into that truck, sending it flying into my rear end!

   Even still, with SEVEN CARS strewn about, people were still trying to drive through the carnage and the police were nowhere to be seen! God knows what happened after I managed to get out, but a few collisions could have been avoided and there was a definite possibility that someone could have gotten hurt bad. I almost got ran over three times and another guy slipped on the ice trying to dodge an out of control car.

   What does it take to get some help around here?!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

2. WSB
   Member Profile

   

   Having listened to the scanner all day and all night, I can tell you that as you might guess they were overwhelmed with such incidents. Like the situation with snowplows and icing, when this once-every-few-years sort of thing happens, it outstrips the number of resources available to deal with it, and they really were having to draw lines (I heard the dispatchers as well as officers in the field) regarding "we can only respond to an incident of x severity" - as you heard re: injuries vs. noninjuries. FWIW if you were by McLendon's, that was King County Sheriff's Office territory - and I believe they have even fewer staff to deal with the unincorporated area, than Seattle Police have to deal with the city (a mile or so north). Glad you are OK though.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

3. Magpie
   Member Profile

   

   I have a friend who owns a business and she has drivers. She always has an instant camera in the glove compartment so that if there is a problem the driver can take a photo (like a fender bender). There are camera phones, now, but all you can do is take a photo at the time when the police can't come. That way, at least you can prove that your car was not the cause.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

4. ivaronalki
   Member Profile

   if you call 911 on a cell phone the call first goes to the state patrol and then is re-routed to seattle police so it can take a loooong time.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

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