Update: Crash at 36th and Barton, one car flips

9:18 PM: Scanner says a vehicle has overturned at 36th and Barton, and that’s why a big “heavy rescue” response was headed that way. We’re en route.

9:26 PM: Two cars are involved in the crash – one is right-side up, one is upside down. A private ambulance is on scene so it appears at least one person is hurt. Working to see if we can find out who hit who. The “heavy rescue” call was downgraded fairly quickly – no “heavy rescuing” needed after all.

9:50 PM: Police at the scene wouldn’t comment. We do know that indeed, only one person was taken to the hospital. Tow trucks were called for both cars. In comments, a neighbor says the car that flipped hit a parked car.

(P.S. Unrelated but we’ve gotten some texts asking about the westbound West Seattle Bridge – a problem on the high-rise has backed it up; [update] via Facebook, people who drove by say that looked like a rear-end crash with at least two people hurt.)

mike flynn September 11, 2011 (9:42 pm)

Awaiting the results of the investigation, but between the folks from the bottom of that hill that charge up the hill too fast, and the folks who cut through 36th to avoid the light at 35th, it’s surprising this hasn’t happened before.

Scandinavian September 11, 2011 (9:48 pm)

I thought this was the bumper car area sponsored by the Washington State Fair. Guess not. ROFLAO

Cw September 11, 2011 (9:55 pm)

I just drove across the Spokane St viaduct. There was an accident, one of the cars looked like it was rear ended pretty good. Private ambulance also there with someone in the back. They have 1 lane open though, so traffic was moving through. Slowly, but getting through.

bridge to somewhere September 11, 2011 (9:56 pm)

i was just talking to my wife about how mind boggling it is that that 35th/barton intersection does not have a left turn arrow off of 35th. i’m an excellent driver, yet i’ve had some close calls myself. and pedestrians trying to cross barton as cars gun it to take a fast left before getting broadsided are really in danger there . . .

mike flynn September 11, 2011 (9:58 pm)

I have called about putting left turn signals at that intersection, and have been told it doesn’t have traffic to warrant the expense.

JP September 11, 2011 (10:04 pm)

I am a neighbor. The car that flipped over hit a parked car. The driver walked away from the accident, but was taken to the hospital. Cars and motorcycles drive too fast down Barton. I am surprised it hasn’t happened before.

MargL September 11, 2011 (10:09 pm)

Hmm – why is it the police are making comments about assumed cause to that other West Seattle publication before investigations are complete?

Mike September 11, 2011 (10:57 pm)

The lack of a turn signal is another example of the shortcomings of SDOT’s office engineering. It’s easier to sit downtown and look at traffic counts and related statistics than it is to get out and see how an intersection works and looks, and talk to the folks that use it and those that live near it. We need more common sense and
more good old-fashioned work in the field. Taking a quick drive thru an area does not count.

rob September 11, 2011 (11:49 pm)

“pedestrians trying to cross barton as cars gun it to take a fast left before getting broadsided are really in danger there”
.
happened to me two days in a row about three weeks ago. both times i made eye contact with the driver, and both times they lurched forward after i started to walk in the crosswalk. i never got so far out to be in their path (because I am not going to do that until i’m sure they aren’t gonna run me over).
.
the first guy was talking on a cellphone, the second guy i guess just wasn’t paying attention.
.
the funny thing, both of them yelled at me as if i had done something wrong.

w.s. maverick September 12, 2011 (5:50 am)

bad intersection there

bridge to somwhere September 12, 2011 (7:46 am)

sorry to hear that rob. unfortunately, i see a similar thing pretty much every other day at that intersection. it’s amazing there are not more injuries. i consider that intersection the most dangerous in west seattle.

bebecat September 12, 2011 (7:50 am)

People need to stop making those blind left turns where they do not pull forward into the intersection to see what is going on. Who taught all these people to drive? Those who make these straight left turns where they cut into the right turners space and are going way to fast to make a true left hand turn? Selfish self centered drivers. Also drivers who enter a crosswalk when a pedestrian is in it block that pedestrian from other drivers view and put that vulnerable person at risk.

GoGo September 12, 2011 (8:02 am)

Me and my dogs almost got hit in that intersection too, some guy in a huge pickup truck (possibly making up for other shortcomings) almost hit us and looked at us like we we doing something wrong.

Bonnie September 12, 2011 (8:09 am)

I cross that intersection occasionally to go to Tony’s and it is pretty scary getting across it. Cars are always running the red lights and turning while we’re still not even halfway through the crosswalk. I would think it would warrant a turn lane and a camera like 35th & Roxbury does. There is a lot of traffic going to Westwood Village there and lots of traffic.

ca September 12, 2011 (9:04 am)

this guy was speeding at least 45 on 34th in front of my house through residential area. I said to my bf and friends going to be a accident. I then heard a crash, but didnt hear anything. This confirms it.

Jordan September 12, 2011 (9:14 am)

“the folks from the bottom of that hill that charge up the hill too fast”

90% of those are people coming off the ferry. The same people who drive 10-15 mph under the speed limit on Vashon simply go insane when they hit West Seattle streets.

Gyngersnap September 12, 2011 (11:18 am)

I live near this intersection and have already talked to the traffic department at the City of Seattle about problems on Barton and 35th/36th. In addition to speeding vehicles, it is very hard to see when you are trying to turn onto Barton from 36th. Cars and trucks are parked on Barton right up to the edge of 36th, obstructing vision. According to the City, there haven’t been enough complaints or accidents in this area for them to take any action. Really.

Gyngersnap September 12, 2011 (11:23 am)

@Jordan, you are correct. Vashon drivers think of this area as a “lawless slum.” I heard that with my own ears.

enviromaven September 12, 2011 (11:24 am)

It’s not unusual for pedestrians to be in danger while crossing 35th at Trenton, Henderson, and Barton. I had a particularly memorable (and very scary) encounter with a postal employee who was annoyed and aggressive when I obeyed the signal and interfered with his left turn (and phone call.)

Praxidike September 12, 2011 (4:09 pm)

I and another woman coming out of the library were almost hit in the crosswalk at 35th and Henderson by a guy who flew through the light without even slowing down. That is a terrible, terrible crosswalk–it takes forever for the light to turn even after you hit the button, and it doesn’t stay green long enough to get across. My elderly mother is afraid to go to the library. What can we in the neighborhood do to get the city to take this section of street seriously?

batgurrl September 12, 2011 (8:58 pm)

Barton & 35th is crazy. Just a week ago I was waiting to turn left from Barton to 35th and the guy coming at me had his left turn signal on. I waited to be sure he was going to turn but then I realized we might crash cause he was half way into the intersection & not turning yet. Thank goodness I learned to not trust the turn signal cause he went straight…. a t-bone avoided!!!

We need a turn signal at that intersection – Interstate 35 needs more controls

Jasperblu September 12, 2011 (11:15 pm)

Don’t forget all the cars that cut through Super Deli Mart’s parking lot to avoid the light @ Barton, so they can keep speeding their merry way along. Very scary intersection indeed! And so is Henderson & 35th. I cross that intersection several days a week to catch the 21 north into downtown. The light is BARELY long enough to cross for me, and I’m spry. I can’t imagine someone managing to make it across in a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, etc. Way too short a time allotment for pedestrian crossing there. And way too many people speeding down I-35, as always. Even the buses will run you down if you’re not paying attention!

Sorry, comment time is over.