UPDATE: Driver hits pole on Harbor Avenue SW

2:12 AM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to Harbor Avenue SW, in the 7-11 vicinity. It’s described as a one-car crash. Per scanner, the driver hit a utility pole at high speed and is still in the car; SFD expects to have to cut the vehicle’s roof off to get the person out.

2:17 AM: Still monitoring via radio communication: The driver is described as a 23-year-old woman.

2:22 AM: Harbor is closed both ways at the crash scene.

2:38 AM: The driver’s been extricated and will be taken by SFD Medic 32 to the hospital with a reported head injury; her car is described as wrapped around the pole and SFD quoted police as estimating she was going 80+ mph.

B November 10, 2018 (4:10 am)

80.. on harbor..

Mike November 10, 2018 (7:11 am)

Hope she survives and can recover. That sounds nasty brutal. 80+ in that area, crazy.

Jort November 10, 2018 (9:09 am)

It is long last time to put anti-racing speed humps and other traffic calming measures in place on this street that will force cars to slow down. This driver needs to be held criminally liable for placing so many people in serious danger.

Alki resident November 10, 2018 (12:27 pm)

I saw nothing about racing. Maybe she was being followed or was heading somewhere that required urgency.

Jort November 10, 2018 (9:10 am)

That should say “long past time.”

dsa November 10, 2018 (10:52 am)

Cool it Jort. It could have been a medical thing or mechanical malfunction of unknown causes. If not innocent, she is in a heap of nasties anyway besides possibly fighting for her survival although I have no information on that.

Me November 10, 2018 (12:28 pm)

I hope she’s ok…

Stephanie Tangedahl November 10, 2018 (4:03 pm)

She is my little sister and I had no idea how fast she was going or that her car was wrapped around the pole until I read this. i talked to her and she is doing well with a lot of stitches in her face and a broken arm. other than that she is gonna be fine. <3

WSB November 10, 2018 (4:05 pm)

Thank you for the update, Stephanie.
- Stephanie Tangedahl November 10, 2018 (10:18 pm)
  
  thank you for posting this. i looked for 2 hours trying to find something other than a short thing about it on twitter through kiro 7. You guys are helpful. Thanks again.
  - Alvin November 11, 2018 (6:43 am)
    
    Glad she’s alive. When she’s recovered, how about a guest post retrospective – what led to this and what went wrong? – so that others can learn from and avoid her experience?
  - Cindy J November 11, 2018 (7:13 am)
    
    Thank God she will be ok. I have had her in my prayers.
Nicole Wallace November 11, 2018 (12:17 pm)

Steph I am so glad she’s okay I saw the stitches and she is damn lucky to be alive! Love you guys!

Xana La Fuente November 10, 2018 (11:08 pm)

Was this the accident that was still having Harbor Avenue blocked off at 7:30 this morning?

WSB November 11, 2018 (12:16 am)

Yup. When a pole’s involved, usually takes hours to clear the scene, fix/replace the pole, etc.

ScubaFrog November 11, 2018 (3:58 pm)

I’m SO glad she’s going to be fine. This isn’t the time for morality lessons, or the soapbox. I hope she makes a 100% recovery, I’m so glad she’s alive with “just” stitches and a broken arm!