Traffic alert update: Lots of crashes – be careful!

1:45 PM: We mentioned this earlier only on Facebook and Twitter because it looked like it would clear fairly fast, but apparently it hasn’t cleared yet: Avoid Fauntleroy end of eastbound bridge, there’s a crash parallel with Nucor.

2 PM: We passed the aforementioned scene on both sides of a quick run downtown. It should be clear shortly – a tow truck was getting the last of the vehicles at about 1:50 pm. (We don’t have any information on circumstances or injuries, though.)

We also have seen two apparent spinouts today on the southbound 99 offramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge – this one at about 1:46 pm hadn’t even drawn police yet:

There’s also been a crash in West Seattle, 42nd/Findlay, this past half-hour, and Christopher Boffoli checked it out – stand by for more on that.

2:33 PM: From Christopher:

He says private ambulances were on hand, with at least two people expected to go to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. We don’t have the official word yet on citations but it appeared that the southbound car had a yield sign but failed to yield, he says, adding: “It took SFD a bit of time to extract the passenger in the gold van as the door on that side was deformed by the crash.”

Trafficjam June 18, 2011 (1:50 pm)

I’ve been stuck for 20 mins trying to get on the bridge..

coffee June 18, 2011 (2:07 pm)

Its wet out, drive slower people…

Kayleigh June 18, 2011 (2:28 pm)

When are they gonna do something about 42nd/Findlay? It’s crazy dangerous. People slam through the yield sign like it’s invisible.

HelperMonkey June 18, 2011 (4:41 pm)

Came here to say what Kayleigh said. I use that intersection daily and it’s like taking my life in my hands every time. not only do people flat out ignore the yield sign, most people also think the speed limit is 50 mph on 42nd.

A June 18, 2011 (5:30 pm)

There was a very bad one at 16th and Trenton at 2:30 pm. I heard it from my house and called 911 after running outside to see if it looked as bad as it sounded. Head-on collision. If nobody was hurt, I’d be amazed.

If you were one of the folks involved, I hope you’re all ok.

For the 911 dispatcher who responded so fast, and the medics who got there within about 2 minutes, thank you.

WSB June 18, 2011 (7:07 pm)

A – it was only on the log as a motor-vehicle accident, one engine, no medic/aid units, so if anyone was hurt, it wasn’t life-threatening … TR

Foy boy June 18, 2011 (5:39 pm)

They do not have to do anything at that intersection. People just have to learn the hard way. You just cann’t keep babbing people. They’er is only so much the goverment can do for you. When people learn how to drive [who knows when that will be] these things will stop. Just do your part and never asume anything and look both ways then go.

CandrewB June 18, 2011 (6:16 pm)

Actually Foy boy, it’s not what the government can do for us (the responsible drivers) but what the government can do for other people (the ones who blast past Findlay on 42nd). And that is install a traffic circle like virtually every other intersection in Fairmount Springs (or a stop sign). Traveling on Findlay, you put yourself in jeopardy crossing 42nd due to restricted sightlines. So when the the driver ignoring the yield sign on 42nd learns the hard way, his/her hard way also becomes mine.

Dizzle June 18, 2011 (6:30 pm)

This just in…it rains in Seattle! Slow down a bit while driving!

Jack June 18, 2011 (9:44 pm)

Highland park way is closed too about 10 minutes ago when we tried to get home that way.

WSB June 18, 2011 (9:55 pm)

We have had a separate story going about that for the past four hours, going down right now to check on its status … TR
- WSB June 18, 2011 (10:22 pm)
  
  … and as of 10:10 pm, still closed. Absorbent has been put down, at least. Again, this is UPHILL from W. Marginal Way ONLY that is closed, not the downhill direction from Holden etc.

pb June 19, 2011 (2:07 pm)

I crashed into a computer table on the way to the refrigerator. OucH!

Foy boy June 19, 2011 (5:14 pm)

CandrewB Like I said. Never asume anything. Look both ways and proceed with caution. In Arbor hieghts we don’t have traffic circles. We have alot of high hedges and limited site lines. But you just have to slow down make sure `its safe to move on. But your right in the fact there should be more stop signs. But drivers will just blow thruugh them just the same. Caution is a word to live and drive by.

Danny June 20, 2011 (4:02 pm)

Its wet out, drive slower people…
This just in…it rains in Seattle! Slow down a bit while driving!

You should have put, “It rains in Seattle, don’t drive on bald tires.” Outside of a legitimate hydroplaning situation, the decrease in friction between asphalt and rubber, caused by water, is negligible. Bald tires however allow for hydroplaning situations to occur under typically safe conditions. If you were to look at these “accidents” you would find that the vehicles were traveling too fast for even dry conditions, or the tires they were using were unsafe.

Rain making roads “slick” is a myth that needs to be put down.

Sorry, comment time is over.