UPDATE: Crash on Highland Park Way hill

7:31 PM: Another crash on the Highland Park Way hill. This one is reported via radio communication to be two vehicles, head on, blocking the southbound lanes. SPD and SFD are on the way.

7:41 PM: Someone who just passed the scene reports it’s a car and minivan. Firefighters have reported that everyone involved is “conscious and alert.”

10:25 PM: Despite that initial assessment, three people were eventually taken to the hospital, SFD tells us. From one vehicle, a 51 year old man in critical condition; from the other, two women, 45 and 67, both in serious condition.

16 Replies to "UPDATE: Crash on Highland Park Way hill"

  • Marcee Stone-Vekich October 20, 2019 (7:39 pm)

    Street blocked heading up hill. Ambulance just arriving. Lots of police cars there. 

  • Hol October 20, 2019 (7:49 pm)

    They made us all turn around a few minutes ago- better to find other ways up the hill.

  • Cait October 20, 2019 (8:39 pm)

    Still blocked going up the hill

  • Steph October 20, 2019 (9:05 pm)

    Just drove past. One lane each direction getting by. Very smushed car getting hooked up to tow truck now. 

  • John Smith October 20, 2019 (10:35 pm)

    I read the post as a report of what was said via radio.For those unaware of what a Way is in King County, a Way is a road/street that is neither an Avenue (northbound/southbound) nor a Street (eastbound/westbound), but winds around in multiple directions such that it does not fit the definition of an Avenue or a Street. So “southbound on Highland Park Way” is not a meaningful description.

    • WSB October 20, 2019 (10:55 pm)

      That’s how police described it, and having traveled the hill many times, it made sense to me, sorry if it did not to you. East of the hill, Highland Park Way is east-west for a bit; the hill starts that way and then curves to north-south, becoming entirely that way south of the top of the hill. – TR

    • KBear October 21, 2019 (10:29 am)

      John, that’s ridiculously pedantic. I can’t imagine anyone being confused about what “southbound on Highland Park Way” means.

    • Life is hard October 21, 2019 (10:37 am)

      It must be difficult for you to navigate the parts of life that are “grey” and don’t perfectly adhere to a set rule.

  • Jose October 21, 2019 (9:53 am)

    I feel sorry for all those involved in this latest accident but isn’t it time something is done to bring down the number of accidents on this road?  The road needs to be straightened or widened somehow. 

    • PBinHP October 21, 2019 (11:43 am)

      Perfect spot for speed enforcement cameras. After a few tickets, I’m willing to bet that people would slow down to more appropriate speeds for the grade and curve on that hill. 

    • KM October 21, 2019 (1:22 pm)

      Wide lanes encourages speeding, so it would need to be some other form of traffic calming if they were to redesign the road. I wonder what median options are possible? Would likely be cheaper than straightening too, which I imagine would be expensive.  I really do think trying some low-cost solutions could make a big difference. And agree with the speed enforcement cameras!

  • BlairJ October 21, 2019 (11:10 am)

    Some drivers on HPW don’t stay in their lane on the uphill curves.  And then you have some drivers going too fast downhill in the left lane during wet weather, sliding over the centerline on the curves.  Wonder if that happened in this accident.

    • Tam October 22, 2019 (11:05 am)

      Blair,My family was in the van with 3 children and 3 adults driving up the hill. The smaller car was speeding down the hill and drove right into them. The smaller car looked like a drunk driver. It’s very unfortunate this had happened. my sister is in critical condition because of that man who was driving reckless.  They definitely should start putting up camera enforced tickets or something to defer crazy drivers. This spot is hot for accidents waiting to happen. 

  • Allie Monet Ellis October 21, 2019 (2:34 pm)

    I had just gone down this hill and told my husband “Please slow down, our lives are precious.” On our way back, right where I made the comment, was the accident :( I didn’t see it occur but it had just happened. I told the 911 dispatcher “Southbound on Highland Park Way SW.” Hoping that made sense when they got there. They definitely didn’t seem confused over the phone. 

  • Charles October 21, 2019 (9:54 pm)

    I avoid this stretch of roadway as much as I can. It seems to me that people driver faster up this hill than down. It is honestly like a race sometimes heading up the hill. If I do the speed limit, I am passed in one lane and tailgated from behind. Meyers Way/Olson Place is not much better.  

  • Christina Francis October 22, 2019 (1:03 am)

    I pray everyone envolved will be o.k. My son Devin Francis was taken from me on this hill. Something life will never prepare you for loosing a child.

Sorry, comment time is over.