UPDATE: Admiral Way reopens after crash; 1 person taken to hospital

(Added: WSB photo)

8:53 AM: Thanks for the tips: Seattle Fire is arriving at another “rescue” callout for a crash, this time on SW Admiral Way, near the viewpoint [map]. Avoid the area. More to come.

9:02 AM: At least one person is being taken to the hospital, per scanner, and they’re looking into the possibility a medical problem might have preceded the crash. SPD is calling for more traffic-control help, so again, avoid Admiral Way south/east of the business district. We’ll be there shortly to find out more.

9:12 AM: SPD is calling out the Traffic Collision Investigation team, which usually means the crash scene will stay closed for hours.

9:22 AM: Two vehicles collided – we’ve just added a photo. Only one person had to be taken to the hospital. Admiral’s been taped off, and police really need drivers to stay away. Slow down on side streets, too (we’re parked on 36th and people are going by way too fast).

11:36 AM: JoAnne says in comments that Admiral is still closed both ways.

12:33 PM: Just went down the hill – reopened both ways.

7:13 PM: In a comment, Brad says this collision actually involved three vehicles, and also reports having heard that the driver who had to be taken to the hospital had experienced a health incident. SFD tells us tonight that the driver is an “adult female” who was transported in critical condition – we don’t know her current condition, but that was the assessment after the crash.

HappyOnAlki November 11, 2017 (10:13 am)

Just came off the WS Bridge, and there was no warning that Admiral was closed — so everybody was making U turns partway up the hill.

22blades November 11, 2017 (10:22 am)

“we’re parked on 36th and people are going by way too fast”

This is no time to cause another accident. There are responders, residents, lookers and yes, media trying to maneuver with people going way too fast. Speed won’t fix being late. Please people, slow down.

HotCoffee November 11, 2017 (10:30 am)

That’s not news about driving too fast on 36th. See it everyday, crazy people cutting through our neighborhood. #itsnotanarterial

WSB November 11, 2017 (10:37 am)

Yes, every neighborhood seems to have its problems (like the chronic stop-sign-running in ours), but if we happen to encounter one, we will mention it. I’ve heard they’ve opened a southbound lane so hopefully that’s cut down on the number detouring. (Edited to add … that might be a different crash scene, so never mind. We hope to get back to check around noon.)

Mark November 11, 2017 (10:33 am)

Also no advance warning going EB.

Hopefully the injury is not life threatening.

It is mentioned a medical situation may have caused the incident. Years ago I had a tumor in my back and had lost sensation in my feet that caused a couple of close calls. At the time I was clueless to the tumor.

Some minimum level of fitness may need to be incorporated into getting a license, especially as people age for safety of all.

Anonymous November 11, 2017 (11:22 am)

If you are trying to escape this by coming up manning and then hinds st, I’d suggest you don’t. It’s a one-way lane for most of it and traffic is getting completely stuck. It won’t be quick!

JoAnne November 11, 2017 (11:33 am)

Still closed both ways 11:34

WSB November 11, 2017 (11:36 am)

Thank you!

Anonymous November 11, 2017 (11:36 am)

I just saw traffic come to a complete standstill on Hinds st. DO NOT come this way if you are looking for a quick fix. People were stuck for at least 5-7 minutes playing chicken with each other until someone turned into a driveway – running over a boulder to do so – to get things moving again. It might seem like it will take a little longer to go up around Avalon (hopefully that’s an option), but it will be faster in the long run. There are also big trucks, of all things (!), trying to maneuver on this one-way lane, so it is not pretty.

Jenn November 11, 2017 (11:46 am)

Alternative routes (35th specifically) is a hot mess of re-route congestion.

Mike November 11, 2017 (11:46 am)

good lord, glad nobody was walking or riding a bike near there

HotCoffee November 11, 2017 (11:58 am)

Sorry didn’t mean to say it wasn’t worth a report. Totally news. Add to the stop sign running: the complete lack of understanding about uncontrolled intersections. Always amazed there are not more wrecks – just fortunate half of us know the laws and what the heck we are doing.

Always appreciate you mentioning it and encouraging us to drive safely!

Vic November 11, 2017 (11:59 am)

35th past Manning is complete gridlock heading to the bridge, it’s taken 10 minutes to go 1 block. It would be great to get some traffic control at the light.

HotCoffee November 11, 2017 (12:30 pm)

I’m hearing/seeing traffic down on Admiral, seems like both ways now. Maybe open?

WSB November 11, 2017 (12:32 pm)

Open again.

WSRedux November 11, 2017 (1:29 pm)

SPD should explain why it takes 3+ hours to investigate a 2 car, apparently non-fatality accident & why the far 2 lanes of Admiral Way could not have been kept open with officers directing traffic during the investigation.

WSB November 11, 2017 (1:45 pm)

As mentioned, the Traffic Collision Investigation squad was called out. They have to investigate crashes with life-threatening injuries among other circumstances. TCI is *not* often called out. The officers who were available had trouble just keeping people from trying to go around what they did set up – and they wound up calling for SDOT reinforcements to at least set up some signs at the bottom of the hill.
Fred Simpson November 11, 2017 (9:21 pm)

It was my parked Subaru Outback that was hit by the Honda and it was Admiral Way was closed down for an investigation of a “possible fatality”. They do that when there is a SERIOUS Life Threatening Injury.

WSML November 11, 2017 (2:01 pm)

1:55 pm – Tow truck is clearing the red car right now. Has 3 of 4 lanes blocked. There is a guy helping traffic get around.

WSB November 11, 2017 (2:15 pm)

Thank you.

Admiral Gal November 11, 2017 (6:33 pm)

Do we know if the injuries were worse that first reported ? Any updates as to why TCI was called for what originally looked like a simple 2 car collision?

WSB November 11, 2017 (6:46 pm)

Severity of injuries, or non-severity, doesn’t always correlate to how the collision “looks.” In this case, as noted, the person was taken to Harborview via SFD medic unit, and that generally means the injuries were not minor. But I won’t be able to get followup information until Monday, so our only chance of hearing anything before then is if a relative or friend of the person comments here, as sometimes happens.

Regarding those questioning why the investigation took a few hours, you can read here about what the TCI team does and why (see “About TCIS Investigations”):
https://www.seattle.gov/police/about-us/about-policing/traffic-enforcement

If you still have questions, come to a Crime Prevention Council meeting sometime (next one is a week from Tuesday, 7 pm November 21st at the precinct) and ask. Most of the SW Precinct brass has worked with the Traffic division. There’s usually lots of time at the CPC meetings for attendee questions. – TR
- Fred Simpson November 11, 2017 (9:23 pm)
  
  The injuries were very serious and life threatening. I pray the young woman survives.

Admiral Gal November 11, 2017 (6:55 pm)

Thank you for the speedy response! I should have been more clear, I wasn’t questioning or complaining about the length of time of the investigation IN THE LEAST. I happened to drive by right after it happened and it haunted me all day. I was hoping the presence of TCI didn’t indicate a more severe outcome. I had missed the post about Harbor View. My thoughts and prayers have been with the family all day.

WSB November 11, 2017 (6:57 pm)

AG – I know, but we’ve heard several people complain about/criticize the investigation time, maybe because they just don’t understand how detailed that level of investigation has to be – so I added the explanation.

Brad November 11, 2017 (7:00 pm)

So, this was actually a three car accident and my fiance and my child were in the third (actually first car) hit. The driver appears to have had a major health related incident and I am fearful they are not alright, thankfully my family is. But please take a minute to realize how your disdain and inconvenience is interpreted by those who were affected and think about if you were in the same situation. I’m so incredibly thankful that we’re fine, I hope the driver is and I thank the SPD and all involved for they’re help and compassion. Sorry if you were inconvenienced and had to take an extra 2 minutes to get down the hill.

WSB November 11, 2017 (7:06 pm)

Thank you, Brad.
Admiral Gal November 11, 2017 (7:19 pm)

Brad, I am so thankful you and your family are safe. Again, I must say, I felt nothing but concern and am so very sorry my words conveyed anything but that, especially if they caused you more pain today. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, every single person that touched this scene today has been in my prayers. My daughter was in tears and we simply hoped there was another reason for the seriousness of the investigation. God bless.

WSB November 11, 2017 (7:13 pm)

And an update … I did just get a reply from the SFD public-information officer e-mail account, that the person taken to the hospital was “an adult female transported in critical condition.” That would not be updated information, since SFD’s involvement ends when they arrive at the hospital, but that’s where things stood then. – TR

Brad November 11, 2017 (9:20 pm)

Admiral Gal- Thank you so much and quite honestly I have to reflect on what my own reaction would be as I would be miffed if I were a passerby in the same situation. I’m just glad my family is okay and I truly hope the driver in the incident is as well. What is lost in this incident is that had she not run into the other parked car, she would most certainly have gone into one of the homes on Admiral at full speed. This was bad but could have been so much worse.

Brandon November 11, 2017 (9:28 pm)

We also saw a bad crash around 8:15 AM at 35th and Fauntleroy. A Kia SUV was smashed into the NE telephone pole or traffic standard going east bound, 2nd car was limping into the Dr Bond parking lot. An ugly morning commute all around the city.

WSB November 11, 2017 (9:41 pm)

That one was an example of (as discussed elsewhere in today’s comments), not as bad as it might have looked. We didn’t even get to that one because the response closed very quickly – one SFD unit, and it was on scene for only 10 minutes, no medic unit needed. Image in this SDOT tweet:
https://twitter.com/seattledot/status/929389577445416961

Kevin November 12, 2017 (11:20 am)

West Seattle friends,

I am the father of the young lady who was in the traffic accident Saturday morning. Her name is Katie and she has responded well to surgery and follow on treatment. Katie and our entire family would covet your prayers and thoughts as she continues to recover from this event. It has been helpful to read the comments and piece together the series of events.

We are grateful to the first responders and medics who transported Katie to Harborview as well as the incredible staff at one of the premiere trauma centers in the world.

if there is additional information that you believe could prove useful please share.

WSB November 12, 2017 (12:09 pm)

Thank you for the update. We wish Katie a full recovery!

Mark November 12, 2017 (1:04 pm)

Its good news Katie is recovering and hopefully no more incidents.

SPD did a poor job of traffic control and were fortunate no added incidents occurred. They closed Admiral at Olga Street, the ped crossing signal location. This is a blind corner for EB to NB motorists the ped signal provides advanced warning when red. The SPD provided none, a simple street flare at 36th would have worked.

Mark November 12, 2017 (4:24 pm)

Flare at 37th, not 36th

Fred Simpson November 12, 2017 (5:45 pm)

It was my car that Katie slid into. I was sitting in my office looking out the window when it happened. I was the first one one there and I have been worried sick and praying for her ever since. I called 911, then got blanket to cover her to try to keep her warm and tried to comfort her. If you have any questions or want to talk you can text or call me anytime at 425-463-6182 My family and I are keeping you and Katie in our thoughts and prayers.

Sorry, comment time is over.