Update: Four people hurt in South Admiral crash

(Photo by Katie Meyer for WSB)
8:17 PM: At least four people are going to the hospital from the scene of a “heavy rescue” callout at 44th and Stevens, according to WSB contributor Katie Meyer. She says original scanner traffic suggested this might be a hit-run – with at least two vehicles involved. Katie says it appears that two children and two adults are being transported to the hospital. The scene is just west of PCC (here’s a map). More to come.

8:37 PM: ~~Adding a photo – will have clearer ones shortly.~~ Firefighters at the scene confirm four people were taken to the hospital, all by private ambulance, no life-threatening injuries. (photo added)

(Photo courtesy Juliette)
Trying to find out if the driver who reportedly bolted one of the vehicles has been found; police at the scene aren’t commenting.

dsa August 23, 2011 (8:30 pm)

I wonder if this has anything to do with an apparent arrest in N Admiral a few minutes ago.

WSB August 23, 2011 (8:31 pm)

It could. We don’t know yet if the driver was found – TR

clark5080 August 23, 2011 (8:42 pm)

Sick a K-9 on him

jgmirs August 23, 2011 (8:44 pm)

The sound of that collision was horrible. Someone was carelessly cruising through at high speed, for a residential area. Very sad. I hope they find the driver who abandoned their vehicle.

Gina August 23, 2011 (8:46 pm)

The driver was last seen running to the NE. When the neighbors go online later tonight there will be some interesting first hand stories.

katiem August 23, 2011 (8:58 pm)

I overheard at the scene that the car was speeding, t-boned the van, and the van rolled. I don’t know if that’s true or not but from the damage to the van, it’s certainly plausible. I really hope the police are able to catch the cowardly idiot who caused this and then fled.

dsa August 23, 2011 (9:04 pm)

Based on the time, quick cuffing, and second unit response, I think they got him. We have to wait and see if this take down is related or not, but LE was not interested in talking to neighbors here.

Jacob August 23, 2011 (9:24 pm)

My gf and I had just walked through that intersection a few minutes before it happened. We were walking towards the junction so we had our backs to the accident and we were a couple blocks away from there by then. It was a really loud sound like someone was driving way too fast for that neighborhood. I couldn’t really tell what had happened and by the time we made it there was a collection of people. We left because we didn’t want to get in the way. We heard sirens within a couple minutes.

Aiko August 23, 2011 (9:43 pm)

I live right on 44th and Stevens St, where the accident occured. There have been different smaller accidents, million near misses, and one death (our Greek neighbor told us)on that intersection. We, as a neighbor, have been trying to put a traffic circle there, but the City would not go for it because (apparently) it would be hard for the fire trucks to go through. One of the neighbors has been pushing the City to put something there, and I heard last that they will eventually put stop signs on 44th (currently there are yield signs), but who knows when. We have big windows which look out the intersection, and I have witnessed countless near misses. If you are driving on Stevens St, do not assume that cars on 44th would yield for you, even if there are yield signs. Many don’t. And if you are driving on 44th trying to cross Stevens, please, please stop or yield. It is really hard to see cars coming on Stevens.

G&E August 23, 2011 (9:53 pm)

We’re thankful that no one died. We live on the block, have young children, and this is not the first time an accident has happened here. Once again, it’s a reminder to figure out how we can get a round-a-bout at the intersection of 44th and SW Stevens.

Lorelee August 23, 2011 (10:57 pm)

I hope the victims are doing OK. I agree, this intersection is dangerous. I walk it with my son 2-4 x a day and few yield to pedestrians and many are speeding. I think the (terrifying) intersection at 45 & Stevens doesn’t help it. Let’s do something! Traffic circle? Speed bumps?

Paul August 23, 2011 (11:24 pm)

traffic circles are even harder for these idiots to manouver around them, instead of going around it to take a left most of them just take the hard left and fudge it all up. You can’t cure stoopid

katiem August 23, 2011 (11:48 pm)

@Paul no, you can’t cure stoopid, but you can slow it down!

Kate K August 24, 2011 (12:01 am)

People go WAAAYYY too fast on Stevens, and that intersection at 45th is really bad. Almost been nailed there several times this month. A traffic circle for Stevens and 45th and stop signs for Stevens at 44th would help.

I hope the people in the accident today are going to be OK.

todd_ August 24, 2011 (12:23 am)

I hope the people who were involed are ok.

I may be going a little overboard but what is most frustrating to me is this recurring scenario .. In general, we live in a caring community so we try to get improvements made whether it be a stop sign or a cross walk added here or traffic cirlces there. The city drags its feet or gives lame reasons like “Well there haven’t been enough accidents there yet.” What ends up happening is someone dies or is seriously injured and sues the city before something is done. The city pays out using our tax dollars for something the tax payers already tried to get the city to correct. Ironic, huh. Full circle.

I’ve seen this scenario play out over and over in WS. Improving the safety on the roads after a certain number of accidents, deaths, lawsuits, etc is not working. These reactive remedies are too late once someone has died or been seriously injured.

Another person recently posted a comment about how engaging local politicians in issues like this is a lesson in futility.

Lydia C August 24, 2011 (5:55 am)

I was in the PCC parking lot when the accident occurred. The young man who abandoned his car walked right past me and I snapped a picture. He later turned the corner onto California and broke into a full sprint going North. Some men chased him. After going home (I live in North Admiral), I left my house again to run another errand and I saw the suspect walking on foot, talking on his cell phone. I immediately called police, and followed him for a few blocks east, giving a description and an address. A police car came and immediately arrested him. I spoke with a police officer to give my statement. He assured me they have physical evidence proving he was the driver and he is in police custody. I hope everyone involved is okay.

sam-c August 24, 2011 (6:41 am)

if someone wants to drive like an idiot- they will simply drive right over the traffic circle- I’ve seen it. .. the same ones that get a little air (followed by a loud scrape) when speeding over speed bumps.

watertwoerjoey August 24, 2011 (7:03 am)

Not familiar with that specific intersection but uncontrolled intersections are almost a death trap in this day and age. People are just plain stupid and/or selfish and just assume that the person traveling the intersecting street will slow down. People traveling north/south and people traveling east/west BOTH think they have the right-of-way and that the “other guy” will be looking out. These types of crashes happen all the time, scary.

Lorelee August 24, 2011 (7:03 am)

Even decent drivers speed on Stevens 44 & 45th. We need something to slow people down.

Craig August 24, 2011 (7:18 am)

Great work Lydia!

WSB August 24, 2011 (7:30 am)

Thanks for the update. I should be able to confirm officially with police (my usual overnight contact wasn’t available last night, and they refused to confirm at the scene) within an hour or so. – TR

NativeToSeattle August 24, 2011 (7:31 am)

Way to go Lydia- it’s not always easy to get involved, but it makes a huge difference.

DMC August 24, 2011 (7:54 am)

I am hopeful someone will let us know how the family with small children are doing. We too live at this intersection. That was our vegetable garden in the photo… At least once a week we hear squealing tires outside. There have been so many near misses I can’t even count after over seven years of living here. The intersection down at 45th and Stevens is also pretty awful. While last evening’s accident appears to be the result of young people make incredibly bad choices, often I see parents with kids in the car talking on their cell phones blowing through. The positive I have taken out of all of this is to be incredibly cautious when driving. And watering my plants. And walking to PCC. Again, hopeful for an update on the family. We have been praying for them and sending them good energy.

JoAnne August 24, 2011 (8:02 am)

Good job Lydia! Thank you!

Kate K August 24, 2011 (8:04 am)

I love Lydia and the people that choose to get involved. Thank you!

SpeedwayRes August 24, 2011 (8:35 am)

I live a few blocks west of the accident scene on Stevens, which I often refer to simply as “the speedway,” and I treat that whole stretch from the approach to 45th up to California as an area requiring extra caution and attention. The 45th and Stevens intersection can be practically a free-for-all, then you get two blocks with lots of parked cars limiting visibility and squeezing the driving lane — plus lots of cars pulling in and out of the PCC and McD parking lots.

ttt August 24, 2011 (8:55 am)

Way to go Lydia! Cell phone cameras are very useful! I’m glad that you live in our WS neighborhood! We need more people like you and less people like him!

buglarbustindad August 24, 2011 (9:27 am)

Great job Lydia
Will you run for Mayor?…Please

Dale August 24, 2011 (10:43 am)

The planning & adding of traffic circles is expensive. I never understanded why a Stop sign cannot be substituted for a Yield Sign. A speed bump can be a cheaper alternative then a traffic circle too. There are several throughout the city, Paved and Mats.

A August 24, 2011 (11:43 am)

The family have been at Harborview. The injured include an elementary aged girl and 5 year old boy. I don’t know extent of injuries but I’m friends with one of the victims and she said they all feel blessed.

WSB August 24, 2011 (11:52 am)

I did get more information about the case this morning and will be writing a separate followup soon. – TR

todd_ August 24, 2011 (12:42 pm)

Thanks Lydia!

todd_ August 24, 2011 (12:50 pm)

IMO, the tall vegetable garden in the parking strip on Stevens, blocks the view of those cars travelling north on 44th .. it is difficult to see if traffic is heading east on Stevens. Cars travelling east on Stevens have the right of way but I imagine they cannot see through the vegetation if a car is travelling north on 44th. I always stop on 44th instead of yield and inch forward to make sure no one is speeding up Stevens before I continue through the intersection.

I believe gardens in parking strips are legal but please consider their height and safety/visibility factor.

Gina August 24, 2011 (1:18 pm)

The stretch of Stevens from California down to 46th is all tricky. The slow light change at the crosswalks from West Seattle high to PCC/Mc Donalds, the will they stop or won’t they at 44th, the hope for the best crossing at 45th and Stevens (the great concrete desert) and the 46th and Stevens which way will they use the traffic cirle crossing.

marty August 24, 2011 (1:57 pm)

Good job Lydia!!!

Joseph August 24, 2011 (2:54 pm)

This is the process by which a roundabout (traffic circle) can be requested.

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/trafficcircles.htm

capo August 24, 2011 (4:55 pm)

Raised gardens in planting strips are legal, but do require a permit. Non-raised beds don’t require a permit. But all plantings must adhere to certain restrictions to ensure visibility and safety. Here’s an excerpt…
.
“Planting height: Intersections. Plantings in planting strips shall be maintained to not exceed two feet (2’) in height within thirty feet (30’) of the intersection.”
.
Based on photos, it appears some of the plantings around this intersection are likely in violation.

Paul August 24, 2011 (9:46 pm)

“Even decent drivers speed on Stevens 44 & 45th. We need something to slow people down”.

so people that speed are decent drivers? Im confused

S5 August 24, 2011 (11:34 pm)

Thank you for that info capo. There is a raised bed garden at the corner of Walnut and Hanford that is a public menace. It is impossible to see West-bound traffic on Hanford without inching out into the (very narrow) street.

Mr. Bradley August 25, 2011 (9:09 am)

I live around the corner on 45th from where this accident happened and heard the boom of the crash from our backyard.I drive, walk, and bicycle through this intersection every single day. People drive too fast, and don’t pay attention as they race to make the light or bomb down the street trying skirt the traffic on California. Those things aren’t caused by a tomato plant and kale growing in a parking strip. The kid was drunk, and driving like a maniac.
The raised beds and the plants on the corner aren’t what caused the wreck. Why even bring it up?

todd_ August 25, 2011 (3:01 pm)

I brought it up because it affects line of sight and could cause (or play a role in) an accident in the future in this already speed prone area/intersection.. whether or not it caused the accident was not my point. If people are speeding and visibility is limited, there is even less time to react. In theory it could have played a role in the accident since the tall vegetation was or partially still is at this intersection. I was just trying (I feel reasonably) to get people to realize that visibilty is not that great so they should be even more cautious so this sort of thing does not happen again.

Paul August 25, 2011 (7:34 pm)

they do have very tall sunflowers on both corners at that area

Someonewhocares August 25, 2011 (8:53 pm)

I live very close to the pcc and can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost gotten into an accident at those intersections along Stevens bc people don’t slow down or pay attention!!!! Most of those drivers I see doing this are young! No surprise this Accident was caused by a teenager. There are sooo many children riding bikes, playing and families out walking when the weather is nice so people please pay attention to
unmarked intersections!!! Common sense. Are
we all really in that much of a hurry to get
someplace nowadays that we don’t have respect for others? Also can parents please start trying to keep track of their teenagers, I know it’s hard but doesn’t take much to be involved in your kids life. I pray for those who were injured.

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