UPDATE: 1 to hospital after motorhome driver goes backward downhill at Delridge/Andover

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 …”

48 Replies to "UPDATE: 1 to hospital after motorhome driver goes backward downhill at Delridge/Andover"

  • ceejay February 15, 2021 (3:01 pm)

    Scanner has one subject in custody 4100 block of Delridge            

  • Michael C February 15, 2021 (3:12 pm)

    At a minimum I can confirm that many emergency vehicles were recently headed on Delridge; I’m at about Delridge and Edmunds.

    • WSB February 15, 2021 (3:17 pm)

      Thanks, that much we know. Trying to get to someone who can tell us exactly what happened. Between the blocked-off area and the slush, we’re having difficulty.

      • KS February 15, 2021 (3:20 pm)

        We live close by and heard from the police that there was a RV that might have been stolen (from that parked area by the fitness club) and then it hit several people.

  • Pigeon point rn February 15, 2021 (3:20 pm)

    Pics from my husband who was in the corner store when this happened 

  • KEVIN WEARE February 15, 2021 (3:25 pm)

    I witnessed a speeding backwards old motor home careen down andover east of delridge after hearing a crash and  when I looked out my office window saw the out of control vehicle go through the intersection at about 40 mph then narrowly miss hitting head on a tanker truck stopped at the lite and somehow only side swipe the tanker and continue west bound at high speed and then turn backwards toward the west end of the old FSA bldg and possibly hit a person on the sidewalk who I saw trying to scramble away and then smash into something or the building sending it back into the middle of the road where it came to a stop. The police were here almost immediately. If no one was seriously hurt it is a miracle.

  • Steve February 15, 2021 (3:28 pm)

    It was an RV attempting to elude police. A police car had it’s lights on and was pursuing a smaller RV up Andover. The RV made it halfway up the second hill and then started rolling (backwards) towards the police cruiser. The cruiser got out of the way and the RV smashed into an approaching vehicle at the intersection of 23rd/Andover. Turned around still eluding(attempt) and sped through the intersection (Delridge/Andover) crashed into a chemical transport semi, spun out hitting a pedestrian and stopped approx. 150ft down Andover (west). I asked the Officer if the pedestrian was gonna live and he said he didn’t know that he was being transported to Harborview.

  • pdxmark77 February 15, 2021 (3:30 pm)

    From what I understand is the police were chasing the motorhome.  Motorhome turned to go East on Andover (uphill) lost control, hit a car (in the photo above) went sliding the hill across Delridge. and ended up hitting a pedestrian who was rushed to the hospital.    Parts of the insides of the Motorhome is scattered all across Andover.

    KIRO 7 is on the scene as well.

    Expect Andover to be closed for some time as they investigate this.

  • ej February 15, 2021 (3:41 pm)

    Did the driver run after? That explanation does not match up with what I heard on the police scanner as this was unfolding… 

    • ej February 15, 2021 (3:51 pm)

      Now it’s making more sense… scary situation…

    • WSB February 15, 2021 (3:56 pm)

      What we wrote is what we got from officers at the scene. All info always subject to updates (see other comments), and they promise one on SPD Blotter later. Via Twitter, they’ve added “suspect driver in custody.”

      • ej February 15, 2021 (3:59 pm)

        Totally understand. I just thought the explanation you were given was odd considering what I had heard via scanner… k9 requested, “I need lots of units”… sounded super intense and scary! 

  • Alki resident February 15, 2021 (3:47 pm)

    I’m sure the motor home has full coverage. 

  • DownthestreetfromthisBS February 15, 2021 (3:51 pm)

    Not sure why a dilapidated motor home would try to go up that hill in the GD snow

  • Fed Up February 15, 2021 (4:02 pm)

    Not sure why the city government allows these dilapidated and unsafe vehicles to park on city streets.

  • onion February 15, 2021 (4:08 pm)

    Trying to elude police in an old motor home– or any motor home for that matter — is dumb, even on pristine, flat streets. And then to hit a pedestrian!  Very  smart.

    • Midi February 15, 2021 (4:28 pm)

      My thoughts exactly. Fleeing is stupid under any circumstances (where you gonna go? we’re basically an island), but in a motorhome in the snow/ice/slush? Unfortunately, it’s the pedestrian that’s paying the biggest price, best to him and hope he will be okay.

    • flimflam February 15, 2021 (4:52 pm)

      yep. i wonder if the responsible person will face any charges.

  • Salal February 15, 2021 (4:24 pm)

     I hope the pedestrian is going to be okay. I live in the neighborhood near this. I was almost attacked by one of these guys that lives in those rvs along that stretch on saturday. I was walking my dog and the guy was plastered beyond belief and threatened me and was screaming all sorts of crazy stuff. Sad. Theres been so many instances out of this encampment. Remember when the rv crashed thru the gym almost into the pool?  Wish something would happen down there for the better

    • Pdxmark77 February 15, 2021 (5:50 pm)

      The same thing happened to me last week.  (Maybe it was the same person?). I was walking to the Deli Mart, he was on the other side of the street just screaming at me and thought I was the police and somehow connected to the government.  Anyway, he started making threats towards me that he wanted to kill me and started coming towards me.  I was able to get away.. but still pretty scary.    I often hear people screaming at each other from that RV camp.

  • skeeter February 15, 2021 (4:40 pm)

    This is terrifying.  A 12,000 pound motorhome rolling/sliding out of control down a side street.  I pray the people in its path will survive and recover.  On a somewhat related note, I wonder if city council has ever considered making a law prohibiting motorhome parking on city streets.  I’d be willing to pay a higher sales tax and property tax and use the money to put people up in hotels.  These broken down motorhomes are a big safety and sanitation problem.  I bet other cities in the region prohibit RV camping on city streets for months at a time.      I guess that’s easy for me to say because I have a warm bed to sleep in every night.  The homeless situation in West Seattle seems to be getting much worse each year and I feel like none of our approaches are working.  

    • flimflam February 15, 2021 (5:10 pm)

      It’s already illegal in many areas just by size alone. Then there’s the 72 hour rules. Then there are little things like emissions standard/ssafety standards , tabs, etc….these rules don’t apply to everyone.

  • Bryan February 15, 2021 (4:58 pm)

    I’m sure everyone is aware that this is the new norm. The RV can blend quietly in any neighborhood that doesn’t have upper echelon of police staff or mayors staff. These homes are not required to be licensed or inspected to any degree. Most will speak that the police were harassing leading to the event and the poor old soul who is fighting for his life is a result of the harassment. The real solution is to eliminate the leading indicator of problem, the non-licensed and non-insured RV’s permanently off the city streets and right of ways. Anything less is in humane and allowing such is an endangerment to the general public and the official’s elected and non-elected should be held personally liable for the event that is life in their Seattle.

    • Resident February 15, 2021 (9:00 pm)

      Could not agree more

    • 1994 February 15, 2021 (9:32 pm)

      And the City of Seattle comes every week or 2 and sucks out their waste/water….so they don’t let it just run out on to the street. Most of the RVs really are rolling dumps and all around health hazards: for those living inside, for those outside in case one of the RV’s blows up or their garbage piles about, is driven around when they are probably mechanically unsafe to drive, and probably driven by drivers who may not even have a license let alone insurance…..There are now several of these rolling dumps lined up over at Roxhill park with a few extra accumulated vehicles full of garbage. 

  • APM February 15, 2021 (5:31 pm)

    My son attends Alki Beach Academy childcare which is just down the street – I’ve often wondered why the city (and Nucor) is tolerating these motorhomes parked on the street. It’s only getting worse too – they fill almost the entire street. I’m relatively new to West Seattle – could someone fill me in on the history? Why does this particular street have so much attraction?

    • Mel February 15, 2021 (7:28 pm)

      Also an ABA parent here. I’m very concerned about this so close to the school.

    • Ralph February 15, 2021 (8:36 pm)

      Nucor isn’t tolerating them – the RVs are parked on public right of way. I’m pretty sure Nucor doesn’t want them parked there but there’s nothing they could do about it besides complain to authorities about the non-enforcement of city laws just like everyone else does (and rightfully so).

      • TM February 16, 2021 (7:25 am)

        @APM Ralph is right, we don’t tolerate it but we can’t do anything other than complain to the city which we do routinely, once every week or two

  • Pigeon Pointer February 15, 2021 (5:52 pm)

    Not a fan of the RVs.   This is the second major accident from this encampment on Andover.   October, 2018, one almost ended up in the health club swimming pool:   https://westseattleblog.com/2018/10/fire-response-in-north-delridge-2/

  • Rose February 15, 2021 (6:17 pm)

    I believe the RV that was fleeing has been parked by the fitness center for a very long time. In the last month more RVs have parked there. I would appreciate it if Councilmembers Herbold, Gonzalez and Mosqueda (G & M are at-large and have a responsibility to the entire city) why this mess is happening? They keep throwing money at what? If these people have to live like this, then we are failing.

  • Concerned February 15, 2021 (7:02 pm)

    Has anyone tried to get a sidewalk established on that side of the street?  It is a very suitable place to park not only because of the industrial feel, but also the gravel section between the fence and pavement. Anyone have any clue on how to get a petition started for this type of action?  Shame more people will most likely have to get hurt before anything is done to resolve these issues in our community…

    • bill February 15, 2021 (10:37 pm)

      The city builds a pitifully small amount of new sidewalk every year. Just ask people in north Seattle how long they have been waiting. Not gonna happen next to Nucor.

  • CML February 15, 2021 (7:16 pm)

    I observed first hand the initiation of the traffic stop and can attest this was not “ A police officer was trying to help him get unstuck”. The police officer was in full pursuit of the RV starting underneath the bridge onto Delridge heading South. Initially the officer started with just lights signaling to the RV to pull over by Ounces, though there was no compliance so the officer turned on the sirens and instead of pulling over the van turned left onto Andover. We kept our distance but there was another car between us and the officer, all heading in the same south direction, who surprisingly followed the officer and the RV left onto Andover (I can only assume this was the same car that was hit when the RV reversed course). We continued on Delridge and minutes later there were 4 more squad cars screaming down Delridge towards the aforementioned intersection. 

    • WSB February 15, 2021 (7:25 pm)

      I’ve just received the initial written summary from SPD and added it to the story.

    • Katie February 15, 2021 (7:58 pm)

      After the second collision on Delridge, an SPD vehicle came SCREAMING down Andover from up the hill down towards Delridge, passing (and nearly striking) the SUV that was struck up towards 23rd at what seemed to be at least 35 MPH, while the driver of that vehicle was attempting to get out of the car and neighbors were near the road trying to check on her. No attempt to render aid to that driver until another unit arrived 5 or so minutes later. Really scary to see SPD vehicles driving recklessly in those conditions, especially considering that there where already other units at the bottom of the hill with the RV.

      • cpfd February 16, 2021 (6:43 pm)

        Goodness, Kate, law enforcement is SCARY.

  • Spooled February 15, 2021 (7:31 pm)

    Mercer Island has the right answer.  They have adults on their council who listen to their constituents.The derelict RV scourge has gone on long enough. 

    • Youngstown February 15, 2021 (8:12 pm)

      I agree the RV/homeless camp scourge have gone on long enough. However, wealthy suburbs like Mercer continue to ignore the problem by simply shoving it elsewhere. In this case, here. The city of Seattle contributes astronomical more amounts of money into the crisis than any other municipality in the region. At the price of our tax dollars.I say we start fighting the problem by holding Mercer, Redmond, Etc, accountable for doing their fair share into fighting a regional crisis. We can’t allow people to keep sweeping their problems under the rug at the expense of the rest of us.Throwing a band aid on a wound that needs stitches ain’t gonna help. 

      • Resident February 15, 2021 (9:04 pm)

        I would prefer to control what we can control. We can’t control Mercer we can’t control Bellevue we can’t control Redmond. What we can control is Seattle. We should ban RVs from parking on the street especially if they aren’t insured and licensed. Your solution is to get others to do the right thing good luck with that.

  • Duffy February 15, 2021 (8:10 pm)

    Also an ABA parent; every day I take my daughter school I notice that street getting more and more packed with RVs. It’s totally absurd that we are fed BS that nothing can be done to remove those RVs. They are a threat to the general public and to the occupants. Tell me, does Parking Enforcement go down there and issue them tickets like they do on my street? Same issues, right? Illegal parking? Oh that’s right, there are two sets of laws and those that park their RVs on the street aren’t required to follow that other set.

    • John W February 16, 2021 (12:18 pm)

      What street do you live on where Parking Enforcement issues tickets?  
      Other than overtime in the Junction, I am hard pressed to see any parking enforcement in West Seattle.  
      The 72 Hour Rule is a platitude and virtually unenforced.
      One comment suggested sidewalks as a solution, but that is invalidated by all of the drivers who routinely park their vehicles straddling the plantings strip and sidewalks wherever  they exist.”Legitimate RV owners” also park their RVs in public ROWs and illegally on their property without enforcement.  

      How do we account for profiling only ‘homelesss RVs’?These RV dwellers are homeless in need of help like a ‘Housing First’ program can provide.  
      Selective enforcement of  RV homeless will do more harm than good, offering no hope of improvement.

      Parents of Alki Beach Academy neglect to mention that the RVs are in fact kept from parking in the private business park that houses the academy, but I understand their vocal concerns of having to pass by these RVs twice a day with inquisitive preschoolers.

      Monetized parking on all Seattle ROWs could solve the RV living as well as most other Seattle neighborhood parking issues.  
      Using funds from parking could be designated for Housing First organizations to address these at-risk homeless, substance dependent and mentally ill with compassion. 

      Every incident likened to this one can only be traced to our lack of accomodating those less fortunate: mentally ill, substance abusers, or just plain homeless. 

      • APM February 16, 2021 (1:09 pm)

        I think you make some good points about this being a societal problem and the solution isn’t just as simple as “move the RVs”.

        I think it’s also worth pointing out that there are many parents at ABA who either walk or bike to drop their children off at the school. Also, Andover is a major bike route to get from the bridge to Avalon. You are also ignoring the fact that two people with no connections to ABA  reported being accosted during the past week as they were walking by. 

        It sounds like this area has been a problem since before I moved to West Seattle so I admit I don’t have all the background, but someone has now been seriously injured and is in the hospital. Property damage, drug use, sanitation hazards, verbal accosting and physical intimidation have all been reported above in the comments section and now someone was seriously injured as an innocent bystander to someone committing multiple felonies. What will it take for the city to act? 

  • Jort'sTorte February 15, 2021 (10:26 pm)

    How do you plan on holding Mercer, Redmond, etc accountable? What reasoned arguments will you present to east side leaders and constituents? How dare they solve a problem that doesn’t require sticking their fingers into their constituents pockets? Give us tens of millions of more dollars to continue to throw at solutions that don’t work or else we’ll come and protest on the bridges?

  • B February 16, 2021 (6:30 am)

    Well this rv did not come from the Andover encampment it came from sodo as the vehicle that hit the gym and almost went into the pool wasn’t even an rv or parked on Andover. Both of the accidents have nothing to do with the people parked over on Andover. I’m sure the people on Andover don’t wake up everyday loving their current life situation and until u walk in another’s shoes you should not judge. Sadly the people parked over on Andover will take the blame once again just because they also happen to have an rv in that area.

    • Jerrold February 16, 2021 (4:18 pm)

      thankyou, good points that nobody seems to have a reply to yet… the person who is yelling at people daily in the morning doesnt live in the rvs either, idk where he comes from

  • Alex S. February 16, 2021 (12:37 pm)

    Decriminalizing meth, heroin and crack will lead to a lot more incidents like this.  Lucky for us, those goofballs in Portlandia are trying this insane social experiment first.

  • Ms. Sparkles February 16, 2021 (12:45 pm)

    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/we-have-to-stop-all-this-infighting-seattles-former-homelessness-director-on-why-we-spend-so-much-without-a-fix/Given the opportunity to speak freely Jason Johnson (the former homelessness director) essentially said the problem is that city counsel keeps funding non-profit service providers who aren’t performing or meeting expectations.  The task force can’t hold the non-profits accountable for the services we’re paying for because they have ins with city counsel members.$165 million dollars – that’s what the city has budgeted this year to throw at the problem without ensuring they get any return on their investment.  Clearly this approach isn’t working, so it’s time to try something else. 

Sorry, comment time is over.