TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; Puget Ridge crash/search

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

6:46 AM: Good morning. We start with word of a crash on Puget Ridge – thanks to the person who called to tell us about it. The SFD log says it’s at 16th and Dawson (map). Per scanner, 16th is blocked at that spot and being diverted at Morgan to the south. We’re headed over to find out more.

7:01 AM: Another problem: Stalled truck on the eastbound low bridge, per SDOT.

7:10 AM: Puget Ridge crash: On northbound 16th, traffic is being turned around at South Seattle College since there are no outlets beyond that.

7:16 AM: Metro has finally texted/tweeted that Route 125 is rerouted off 16th because of the 16th/Dawson situation: “Use stops on Delridge at Genesee or 16th SW south of SW Austin.” Meantime, definitely a search related to this, as we’re seeing a K-9 team. SPD and KCSO are involved but no further details yet.

7:21 AM: Stalled truck on the low bridge has cleared.

7:47 AM: Per scanner, police have taken a suspect into custody. SPD confirmed this is a KCSO investigation and we hope to have more information soon from that agency on what it involved before the crash/search. We’re headed back out that way, meantime, to check on the roads’ status now that the search has ended.

8:03 AM: Metro says Route 125 is back to its regular route.

8:17 AM: KCSO says at the scene that this started in White Center with a pursuit following the car’s driver having fired shots in that area. (No word of injuries so far.)

8:20 AM: Police and fire headed to crash at Fauntleroy/Othello, southwest of Morgan Junction.

8:54 AM: The SFD response to that has closed. Meantime, you might want to avoid the 16th/Dawson area a while longer; they’re still searching for evidence including, according to radio discussion, a gun. We’ll have a separate followup on the incident a bit later, but first we’re moving on to the daily highlights.

AMD June 13, 2017 (7:05 am)

16th SW is completely blocked in front of SSCC. Cars are turning around and I’m sitting on a bus waiting for reroute instructions.

Can’t tell what the incident is (rumors on the bus are a shooting investigation).

AMD June 13, 2017 (7:13 am)

My browser just updated. This must be the crash closure. Cops (SPD and KCSO) are still flying up and down 16th, 125 is being re-routed down Orchard to Delridge.
WSB June 13, 2017 (7:13 am)

It’s a crash. There may be some sort of police search related to the crash but we haven’t been able to get close enough yet to find out.

turbo June 13, 2017 (7:21 am)

It was some sort of police chase. My husband was turning left onto Orchard at the light just past Holden when the car (and one cop from SeaTac) sped past him in the oncoming traffic lane and almost hit them. By the time I got to the bend on Dawson (I was 3 min behind him) the car had crashed thru the metal barrier and was hanging down the hill. I stopped when I saw people looking in the car, and one person said he saw the driver run – I told them it was a chase. The cops pulled up shortly after me, so I left.

WSB June 13, 2017 (7:30 am)

Thanks, they’re still searching and 16th remains closed for a ways. Trying to reach KCSO now since it appears this started with them (SeaTac PD is part of KCSO).

Libby June 13, 2017 (7:34 am)

I am at South Seattle College and we have been put under lock down. SPD is looking for an armed suspect in the area.

Lisa June 13, 2017 (7:36 am)

We spoke to a police officer on the way to work and there were shots fired. K9s are searching the wooded area in the north end of 16th. Heavy police presence.

Mark June 13, 2017 (7:37 am)

At 18th & Brandon I spoke with the officer. He said a person bailed on a deputy. They are doing a containment exercise. Some neighbors report canine units have joined the search.

WSB June 13, 2017 (7:42 am)

Thanks. We mentioned the K-9 unit. An SPD sergeant confirms that this is a King County Sheriff’s Office investigation and they’re just assisting. We have a message out to KCSO’s media rep. The search is on 16th and 17th south of Dawson for some distance.
- WSB June 13, 2017 (7:57 am)
  
  … and as updated above, they’ve arrested a suspect (on 17th). We’re headed back to check if roads have reopened.

1000amys June 13, 2017 (7:57 am)

Sanislo was on lockdown but is not anymore. Did they catch him?

WSB June 13, 2017 (8:05 am)

Yes, we updated the story – suspect in custody. Still awaiting more info from KCSO on why they were after this guy in the first place, will have a breakout followup eventually.
- 1000amys June 13, 2017 (8:11 am)
  
  I wish they had a better way to alert the neighbors. It was unnerving to walk to the school and then discover it was locked down and there was a search. We could have driven had we known. Anyway, glad it’s over. Thanks for all the information!
  - WSB June 13, 2017 (8:37 am)
    
    For those in the neighborhood – sounds like they’re bringing in another K-9 to search for the guy’s gun.
  - Sara Newman June 13, 2017 (9:06 am)
    
    South and her sister campuses provide the following alert system, https://www.getrave.com/login/seattlecolleges

Alan June 13, 2017 (8:07 am)

There used to be lots of accidents at that hairpin turn on the north end of 16th. People in the house on the end had to put up a concrete barrier, behind a guard rail in order to protect themselves from people that used 16th as a raceway unaware that it didn’t continue straight. Speed bumps were put in and this apparently was adequate for the “casual” speeder, but apparently not for Dukes of Hazzard wannabes.

Libby June 13, 2017 (8:10 am)

We got the all-clear at South Seattle College.

WS Local June 13, 2017 (8:11 am)

I knew this looked fishy when SeaTac police kept circling the area with sirens on at 630am until SPD showed up to assist. Good job officers! I guess they arrested the guy a few houses away from me. Exciting way to wake up. ;)

Gene June 13, 2017 (8:41 am)

1000amys- Sometimes when stuff like this happens it’s a very fluid situation- things changing by the minute.

But would also think that the school could have some type of alert system ( students sign up for) that gets activated in event of lockdown- kind of like amber alerts ??

Sara Newman June 13, 2017 (9:04 am)

South and her sister campuses provide the following alert system, https://www.getrave.com/login/seattlecolleges
Alan June 13, 2017 (9:17 am)

In theory, it seems like the Smart911/AlertSeattle would provide that, but it did not in this case.
- WSB June 13, 2017 (9:33 am)
  
  So far, those alerts have been used very rarely and generally only in the case of something much more widespread than this – say, a power outage with thousands affected. In concept, it sounds like something that could be used, but in practicality – someone having to make the decision “OK, we’re going to use the alert system” then others saying “what do we need to say?” and “where do we need to send the alert?” and then someone actually taking both those two actions (can the system be programmed to just hit a few square blocks?) … by the time all that would be gone through, this would have been long over, especially considering that it started at 6:30 am …
  - 1000amys June 13, 2017 (12:13 pm)
    
    Good points. It’s just this is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for when I signed up for those alerts. If it’s serious enough to stay in the house with the doors locked, I’d love to be aware of it. I guess we just keep looking at how to improve emergency alert systems.