Update: Driver hits parked car on Avalon Way, flips car, runs

12:58 AM: Happening right now in the 3000 block of Avalon Way (map) and vicinity – police are looking for a driver who ran away after her car rolled over.

1:08 AM UPDATE: Thanks to Tyler for the photo. As you can see, at least one parked car was hit (thanks also to Kim for that additional detail – and the photo below, showing more of the scene).

1:17 AM UPDATE: Per scanner, the suspected driver, described as a 30-year-old woman, has been found about two blocks away, and will be checked out by SFD medics.

TL October 28, 2013 (1:03 am)

Happened just outside my patio door. Driver hit a parked car just after the driveway to our building (and a few feet from a telephone pole) and ended up on its roof. Driver was gone within a minute.

samson October 28, 2013 (6:24 am)

Why did you run away?!

Speeding? Texting?

ScubaFrog October 28, 2013 (6:29 am)

Does anyone know if she arrested and charged with her suspected crimes? Do we know if she was suspected of being intoxicated, or if the vehicle was stolen?

JW October 28, 2013 (7:17 am)

Was awoken by the crash right outside our window, looked out to see the driver take off running down Avalon…3 parked cars we’re damaged, one totaled.

Brian October 28, 2013 (8:35 am)

@ScubaFrog: No we don’t know any of those things until SPD publishes the report of the incident. WSB isn’t run by wizards and sorcery.

WSB October 28, 2013 (8:45 am)

I don’t know if this one will rise to SPD Blotter level, given an absence of serious injury, and traffic-incident reports generally aren’t linked (in detail) to the crime map, but I do have an inquiry out to police and will update this story with anything more we find out – TR

heather October 28, 2013 (9:07 am)

That’s just weird.

McGruff October 28, 2013 (9:41 am)

I can only think of two reasons the driver would flee the scene of a crash: (1) stolen car, (2) impaired driver, and more remotely, (3) no license/insurance. In other words, they leave because there is something bigger they are worrying about than their crashed car.
.
In this case, given the time and the demographic of the driver, my money’s on (2).

TheOtherDude October 28, 2013 (11:01 am)

Great counting McGruff!

I. Ponder October 28, 2013 (11:19 am)

I’m guessing this is common practice for experienced DUI drivers or those driving with suspended license. Flee the scene and report the car stolen. If it wasn’t you driving then there’s no penalty, right?

Stephanie October 28, 2013 (11:31 am)

She may also have had a head injury and been disoriented.

DRW October 28, 2013 (11:34 am)

When both of our parked cars were hit and totaled by a drunk couple they took off on a foot. WSB reported the incident and posted the photo I sent them. It was in March of 2012.

The police did track down the couple the next day and couldn’t get them on drunk driving but did get them for fleeing the scene of an accident.

Since they did find this woman last night, they probably know weather she was drunk or not. If she gets a DWI, they might post it to the blotter.

No wonder everyone wants a garage or off street parking when they look for a house.

Alison October 28, 2013 (11:52 am)

Hi! I’m the owner of the car that got totaled. Thank you WSB for keeping up on updates – I’m having trouble getting any information re: insurance, etc.

Alison October 28, 2013 (11:54 am)

She was texting, BTW. She hit my car so hard it pushed a 1980 Lincoln into the rear end of the third car. She was flying down Avalon!

I. Ponder October 28, 2013 (4:59 pm)

@Alison: how do you know she was texting?

That’s a major bike route. Cyclists get murdered by people texting or talking on the phone. As a bike commuter I’m as irate about this behavior as many others are about criminal and deviant behavior. Difference is talking on the phone and texting while driving is considered acceptable by many who consider themselves to be good people.

pupsarebest October 28, 2013 (9:51 pm)

I’m in your corner, I. Ponder.
The potential deadly consequences of those who text/talk, while they should be paying attention to piloting a hurtling, 1+ ton vehicle, are devastating.
It IS illegal, would be nice if the law was actually enforced, and the penalties were substantial.

Wes C. Addle October 29, 2013 (9:59 am)

I don’t think there needs to be a law against texting/talking and driving. You can eat, fiddle with your stereo, look at a GPS map, & pet your dog while driving. However, if you’re doing any of the things above and you get in a wreck, it should be Reckless driving. There doesn’t need to be a specific law for every infraction on earth.
As far as that being a major bike route, is it that major at 1:00am?

Alison October 29, 2013 (1:43 pm)

When the police found her she told them she was texting. Still waiting on the SPD report. Not a peep from the driver so far – geez, a note with insurance info would be nice.

Sorry, comment time is over.