West Seattle traffic alert update: Eastbound bridge reopens

(Photo added, by Joanne Murray of Murray’s J2 Photography)
4 PM: Not a good afternoon on the roads. Now there’s word of another “heavy rescue” call, which we’re told is a rollover crash on the eastbound bridge near Walking on Logs. Two people tell us via Twitter that it’s a flipped vehicle.

4:15 PM UPDATE: Adding a traffic-cam view that currently shows the scene. Again, avoid the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy. We *believe* the entrances further east are unaffected.

5:11 PM UPDATE: The eastbound bridge has reopened – we were at Fauntleroy/35th when the two SPD cars who had been blocking it pulled away and traffic started using it again. Still checking for other information about the crash and whether anyone was hurt.

7:04 PM UPDATE: Added a photo shared by Joanne Murray. Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore says the vehicle driver got out without assistance and was not hurt.

Ryan June 13, 2013 (4:10 pm)

Over turned SUV. Just drive by it.

hj June 13, 2013 (4:19 pm)

Correct; the entrances further east are unaffected.

Kate June 13, 2013 (4:25 pm)

Not sure about this, obviously, but it seemed like the driver was sitting outside the vehicle on the phone–apparently uninjured. I’m hoping that ends up being the case!

JoeMamma June 13, 2013 (4:36 pm)

Oh no, the sun!! Let’s cover our face like a last minute replacement for Bela Lugosi and try to drive at the same time.

West Seattle Hipster June 13, 2013 (5:03 pm)

Wonder what could have caused the vehicle to flip?

Jack June 13, 2013 (5:03 pm)

@JoeMamma. Right.. eastbound in the afternoon. Must be looking into the sun…

Jesse June 13, 2013 (5:26 pm)

I passed just after it happened and the SUV was pulling a trailer. The SUV was tipped but the trailer was still on two wheels.

I suspect it was a speed issue and trying to brake for the corner the trailer pushed the back end of the SUV out.

Resident3 June 13, 2013 (6:15 pm)

Are we gonna break a record for flipped cars this year?

Eddie June 13, 2013 (6:26 pm)

Listened to the scanner when this got “toned out” – amazed at how much confusion there can be over where these incidents are – particularly around our bridge with its very restrictive on’s and off’s. Get on at the wrong place – Eastbound from Admiral, and think through how you’d turn back around and get to the incident if you were an emergency vehicle.

Speedee June 13, 2013 (7:01 pm)

The State Patrol already has said we have broken the record for flipped FedEx trucks on Interstate 5 in a one month period.

And the world record for a semi taking out a major U.S. Interstate bridge.

I am sure SUV drivers from West Seattle are up to the task of a new record, of some sort, for rolling their vehicles on West Seattle roads…

bolo June 13, 2013 (9:15 pm)

SUV = higher center of gravity = greater tendency to rollover during most maneuvers.
WSB: That photo labeled “W Seattle Southwest * Charlestown,” is that camera accessible by citizens?

WSB June 13, 2013 (10:25 pm)

Bolo – that was the Walking on Logs cam, spun around. Moving the cameras is at the city’s discretion and control. Otherwise, it points toward Walking on Logs along westbound Fauntleroy edge of bridge. I’m pretty sure it’s on our Traffic page, and if not, then I need to put it back. It’s on the SDOT traffic cams list for the city (SDOT city, not WSDOT state, whole different set) … TR

AG June 14, 2013 (9:26 am)

If this is the location I’m thinking it to be, is it possible this was caused by the merge from 35th onto the bridge? Frequently I’ve seen people in the eastbound lanes who speed up and crowd out the driver who is attempting to merge at the right turn from 35th. I can see it causing a rollover if a driver was crowded off the road at the end of the merge lane.

Sorry, comment time is over.