2:51 PM: Few details yet but avoid Delridge/Andover – multiple injuries are reported after a collision, at Delridge/Andover and also on Andover west and uphill. We’re on our way to find out more.
3:18 PM: We’re having difficulty getting close enough to talk with police, between the slush and the emergency vehicles. Nearby resident Mark sent photos of the two scenes – at Delridge/Andover:
And uphill to the west, at 23rd/Andover:
3:28 PM: Just in from our crew, a wider view – note that Andover is taped off, west of Delridge:
Here’s what police at the scene told us happened: The motorhome’s driver was heading eastbound up Andover and got stuck. A police officer was trying to help him get unstuck when the driver put the motorhome into reverse and hit both a pedestrian and two vehicles, including the one in the photo above, and this tanker (photo from Evan):
The only person who needed to be taken to the hospital was the pedestrian. No other serious injuries. We will be checking on the pedestrian’s condition.
3:42 PM: SPD adds via Twitter that the motorhome driver is in custody and the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is responding, so the area will likely be blocked off for a while.
3:58 PM: Commenters who were in the area have a different account, saying police were following/pursuing the motorhome before the crash. Meantime, SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells us the pedestrian is a 79-year-old man taken to the hospital in serious condition, and the driver of the car hit uphill on Andover was a 44-year-old woman treated at the scene.
ADDED 7:12 PM: Just received, the initial police summary:
A patrol unit initiated a traffic stop on an older, 20-foot RV near Delridge Way SW and SW Andover St. The adult male driver appeared to disregard the signals to stop and turned up the steep grade, which hindered the suspect’s escape near 23 Av SW. The suspect reversed down the hill, colliding with an occupied passenger vehicle and deploying its airbags before crossing the arterial and striking a petroleum tanker and then a pedestrian. The suspect driver fled on foot, but was arrested a short time later. The adult male pedestrian sustained injuries thought to be substantial. Other injuries were minor. TCIS responded. A DRE evaluated the suspect and detected signs of impairment. The suspect was arrested for Vehicular Assault, Hit and Run, Eluding, VUCSA, and warrants.
(DRE means Drug Recognition Expert; VUCSA is a drug-related allegation, Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.) The summary does not mentions the grounds for the initial stop attempt.
9:18 PM: More information about the suspect, from this SPD Blotter item posted tonight: He’s 47 and “police discovered he had a felony warrant for theft of a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment and domestic violence-related assault. Officers also found what appeared to be narcotics on his person …”
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