TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates; Admiral Way collision

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

6:52 AM: Good morning! Wet roads are the big news so far this morning. No incidents in/from West Seattle; though a crew was reported to be dealing with tree trouble on the eastbound Admiral Way hill earlier this morning, the city map shows normal traffic speed in that area now.

7:59 AM: Medical response at 37th/Admiral. Texter says pedestrian is hurt. On our way to check.

8:14 AM: Not there yet but getting messages that most lanes are blocked by the response, so avoid that area (Admiral near the viewpoint atop the hill to/from the bridge) for now. The SFD log shows two of its units are still on scene.

8:33 AM: Just arrived. Police can only tell us that one man was injured and is being taken to Harborview Medical Center. Apparently not life-threatening because the Traffic Collision Investigation team is not being called out, and police say they expect to clear the scene – which currently has one downhill lane blocked – within 15 minutes or so.

11:34 AM: SFD tells us that the victim is “a homeless male in his 70s (who) suffered serious injuries to head and leg.”

4:14 PM: In comments, the victim’s daughter-in-law says he is not homeless, and also is hoping to hear from witnesses.

NW September 18, 2017 (8:25 am)

Hope the injured pedestrian is ok. During the turn of seasons I begin to use a hand held light while crossing streets where busy traffic is. I don’t point it directly at drivers though do make a point to make myself visible with it to drivers and people generally stop letting me cross safely.

WSB September 18, 2017 (8:27 am)

We don’t know anything about the circumstances or the victim yet, aside from that it appears they’re being taken to Harborview – waiting to hear from our crew – takes a while to get from here to the north end of the peninsula during the peak-commute times.

WestSeattleCoug September 18, 2017 (8:56 am)

I catch the bus at Olga & Admiral, and cars heading down Admiral have been known to skid into the intersection when the light is red for the crosswalk. Was the pedestrian hit there or actually at 37th & Admiral?

Joe September 18, 2017 (3:35 pm)

I passed it about 30 seconds after it happened. Didn’t look like he was in the crosswalk. He was laying on the side right where Admiral starts to make the turn down the hill. There was a woman on her phone calling 911 with the man. Don’t know if she is the one who hit him.

Sadie September 18, 2017 (3:38 pm)

That was my father-in-law, walking my dog….not a homeless man. Did anyone witness this?

WSB September 18, 2017 (3:58 pm)

Sadie, thank you for letting us know. SFD doesn’t always mention people’s housing status but did in this case and we quoted them. I will update above. One person mentioned to us on Twitter that she had seen this; I’ll message her that you are looking for witnesses. – TR
- Sadie September 18, 2017 (4:00 pm)
  
  Also, isit confirmed it happened on 37th vs 47th??? I heard he was crossing the street due to a sidewalk closure….
  - WSB September 18, 2017 (4:08 pm)
    
    Sadie, my husband was there before police left (unfortunately we don’t have much in the way of photos) and they were right by Admiral Way Viewpoint, definitely not 47th – the SFD callout was to 37th/Admiral – see their log here – scroll down to 7:50:51 am. (Added: Here’s Google Street View of the area. I don’t know about a sidewalk closure but as you can see, the east/southbound side of the street has areas without sidewalks.)
    - WSB September 18, 2017 (4:25 pm)
      
      The person who mentioned it on Twitter says she happened onto the scene right afterward and didn’t actually see it happen. I hope he will be OK. I also have told the Seattle Fire public-info officer that the description of him as homeless was inaccurate – just in case any other media outlets ask them for info – TR
    - Sadie September 18, 2017 (11:12 pm)
      
      The woman that struck him stayed with him and our dog he was walking and we are grateful for her presence at his side in the aftermath. Such a traumatic exoerience for everyone involved. He’s in ICU and hopeful to make a full recovery.