UPDATE: SUV goes sideways on Fauntleroy end of westbound West Seattle Bridge

(Added: WSB photo, emergency response as visible from pedestrian overpass west of crash scene)

7:36 PM: Big Seattle Fire response on the way to 35th and Fauntleroy – it’s a “heavy rescue” callout. More as we get it.

7:39 PM: The location has just been changed to the west end of the bridge, “by the statues,” report of a car on its side.

7:42 PM: Per scanner, the westbound bridge will be closed – we haven’t heard exactly where yet – though SFD has tweeted one lane remains open for now.

8:01 PM: Most SFD units have been dismissed. One person was being “assessed” for injuries per SFD; we can’t get close enough to ask in person but are taking a look from the pedestrian overpass to the west. One person who’s gone by says it’s an SUV on its side.

8:23 PM: Since no SFD medic unit transport was required, that at least means no major injuries. Per scanner, it might be a while before a tow truck is available to get the vehicle out, so if you have to use the westbound end of the westbound bridge sometime soon, be aware you might encounter a delay in that area.

ADDED SUNDAY: As noted in comments, we checked online records and the driver, a 43-year-old woman, is accused of “speed too fast for road/conditions.”

JanS December 2, 2017 (7:42 pm)

two words : slow down. Hope no one is seriously injured :(

WSB December 2, 2017 (8:34 pm)

We have no idea how this crash happened, whether speed or anything else in particular was a factor. It’s been raining nonstop all day and slowing down is a good general suggestion, though. Last night when we were getting texted about the crash by Trader Joe’s, we heard some scary wheel-spinning wet-road speeding on the hill just past our house, the kind where you wonder if the driver will be crashing into your yard or worse. Rainy then too.

Kellen December 2, 2017 (7:43 pm)

Driving eastbound on the bridge. Passed literally 7 fire trucks and 3-4 ambulances.

Advntrplz December 2, 2017 (7:51 pm)

There is a passenger car on it’s side and reversed right on the grass in front of the Children on Logs. Many emergency vehicles are on site. We drove in right behind them. We could see a person in the front moving and in need of medical.

935 December 2, 2017 (8:51 pm)

Still not using the “Zones” I see…

How much did that sinage cost the tax-burdened?

WSB December 2, 2017 (9:03 pm)

I do hear the zones mentioned on the scanner, on occasion. Particularly when there’s not a landmark like Walking on Logs.

Anyway, we had the cost information when the project was announced last year. 80 signs for $25,000 per SDOT.
https://westseattleblog.com/2016/05/new-signs-for-the-west-seattle-bridge-will-zones-help-problems-clear-faster/
MichaelC December 3, 2017 (8:28 am)

I called it in, and the last thing that crossed my mind was the zones. Of course, it was helpful that the car was right by the “girls on logs” landmark.

Seattlite December 2, 2017 (9:01 pm)

I hope that anyone injured in this accident will recover swiftly. The speed limit on the West Seattle bridge is 45mph. On the curved area going west by the statues it’s reduced to 40mph, and a short distance from that point continuing west it reduces to 30mph. Whenever I drive on the bridge going east or west, drivers exceed the speed limit causing dangerous driving conditions (tailgating, changing lanes without signaling) for those drivers who obey the posted speed limits. Too bad people don’t use common sense, obey the posted speed limits, use turn signals, and be more cautious in inclement weather. It would probably decrease accidents.

TreeHouse December 2, 2017 (9:29 pm)

I was driving the 45 mph limit on the bridge while it was pouring rain and cars were flying by everyone and aggressively changing lanes. We all then slowed down at the same place to see this van flipped upside down. People need to slow down and start realizing that getting somewhere 15-30 seconds faster is just not worth it.

I hope everybody was alright.

aa December 3, 2017 (12:09 am)

There would be less lane changing if drivers would stay out of the left lane. Left lane is for passing. Move to the left lane to pass, then return to the right lane to continue driving.

Jeah December 3, 2017 (6:52 am)

Lol
Mike December 3, 2017 (6:54 am)

SPD doesn’t enforce it, but State Patrol does. Left lane squatters are being ticketed more now. It’s dangerous and causes traffic backups. http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/news/a7995/washington-state-police-bust-left-lane-squatters/

As for this accident, it very well could be speed, could be a blown tire, or low tread depth, could be the more common low pressure tire. It’s amazing how many people run tires under-inflated, which is severely dangerous. With the wet season and soon icy/snowy season, I ask people to please check your tire pressures, tread depth and how old their tires are.

This article is a great example of the dangers of running incorrect tire pressures https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=3 

This article is a great example of the dangers of running old tires https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=138 and https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=183 

and easy to follow info on checking tread depth https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=51  and don’t mismatch tread depths https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=236 (see tire inflation article for what causes mismatched tread depth)
john December 3, 2017 (8:07 am)

To AA and all the other drivers who think the west seattle bridge is a highway. It is not. It is a city street and there is no rule for city streets that say you have to stay in the right-hand lane.

Slow down!
- Mike December 3, 2017 (8:51 am)
  
  State law, John. The upper bridge is not your typical 2 lane Seattle roadway. This is why it’s also referred to as the Fauntleroy Expressway / West Seattle Freeway. http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.100  <– move right
- Jort December 3, 2017 (11:52 am)
  
  Typically, people are mad at drivers in the left lane because they are being impeded from breaking the law by speeding.
  
  If it’s illegal to “camp” in the left lane, you also have to recognize that’s illegal to go even one mile per hour over the limit. Nobody’s law-breaking is more justified than another’s, except perhaps that speeding is a direct cause of fatalities and injuries, whereas annoying people in the left lane is not.

they December 3, 2017 (8:12 am)

On this bridge everyday, if you try to do speed limit cars are flying by you like your standing still, never see anybody pulled over by LE unless its bus lane enforcement. Bit of a head scratcher…

DD December 3, 2017 (9:13 am)

Mike – thanks for all the great links to information on tires. I’m facing some tire replacement questions and these sites were very helpful!

Matt December 3, 2017 (11:48 am)

Shocked with all the speculation about the cause, all the complaining about speed and no one has mentioned the possibility of distracted driving.

WSB December 3, 2017 (12:15 pm)

Update! Cross-referencing the case # with Seattle Municipal Court records, this is indeed listed as a suspected case of “speed too fast for road/conditions.” – TR

Sorry, comment time is over.