UPDATE: Crash at 36th/Barton

5:41 PM: Thanks for the tip: SFD is dispatching to a reported 2-car crash at 36th/Barton. Texter tells us this area has seen a “tremendous increase in traffic since the bridge closure.”

(Reader photo)

6 PM: One damaged car is on the scene blocking the westbound lane. Police are investigating this as a hit-and-run.

6:33 PM: Just went back through; scene is cleared.

ADDED SATURDAY: We’ve heard from the victim’s brother: “He says all he saw was a ‘flash of silver, maybe an SUV, airbags and smoke, then someone was opening my door.’ The offending car was gone. We want to see if anyone in the neighborhood might have cameras that point to that intersection, or perhaps drivers that May have witnessed the incident. He can be reached at Pete 206.383.7185.”

9 Replies to "UPDATE: Crash at 36th/Barton"

  • R Kor August 7, 2020 (8:41 pm)

    Such a bummer. We live just off 106th in Arbor Heights, and the amount of people using our street as a detour off of 106th traveling at extremely high rates of speed (seriously 50+ MPH, not exaggerating) is nuts. It’s literally a matter of time before this very thing occurs on our once quiet little street.

  • West Seattle Hipster August 7, 2020 (9:34 pm)

    Serious question.  Who will investigate auto accidents (and fatalities) after SPD is defunded?

    • WSB August 7, 2020 (10:49 pm)

      So far in the council-recommended specifics, while they have proposed moving Parking Enforcement to SDOT, there’s been no recommended change to Traffic Enforcement (unless it’s in the new round of docs for Monday, which I haven’t finished reading).

    • flimflam August 8, 2020 (7:23 am)

      oh they’ll figure that out eventually, don’t worry, the council is wise in all matters!

  • Careful WS Driver August 8, 2020 (8:39 am)

    No surprise.  Folks tear up Barton from Fauntleroy, bringing along their apparent road rage.  Drivers trying to get onto Barton from 36th are squeezed out with a game of chicken.  No relief in sight.

  • JayDee August 8, 2020 (9:18 am)

    What I have observed is that one of the “Escape from West Seattle” routes is Beach Drive-Fauntleroy-Barton. The new “25 MPH” signs are nearly universally ignored.

  • JohnW August 8, 2020 (11:02 am)

    Yes, the WS Bridge closure has made Barton a primary route for the Fauntleroy ferry traffic.   An anecdotal but noticeable increase in traffic has also increased the unsafe and illegal U-turns on Fauntleroy Way to cue up for the ferry created by this change of traffic patterns.Please be patient and exercise caution when accessing some of our old routes.Yield to the RIGHT.

  • WSB August 8, 2020 (11:23 am)

    Added: The victim is looking for witnesses. Info above.

  • anonyme August 8, 2020 (12:50 pm)

    There’s been a huge jump in traffic on 35th south of Roxbury lately, southbound.  As noted by R Kor, speeds are in excess of 50 mph in a 25 mph zone.  At my corner, bizarre u-turns have become a thing, possibly as drivers impatient with waiting to make a turn on Roxbury just blow past it, then u-turn to approach it from a different angle.  I can’t believe how much late-night traffic there is now, clearly related to social activity.  Arbor Heights needs to be added to the list of bridge-impacted neighborhoods.  However, we’re never considered for anything, so doubt that will happen.   How ironic that my only transportation option (bus route #22) has been canceled, but I now live on a freeway.   Haven’t seen any traffic enforcement out here for years.

Sorry, comment time is over.