FOLLOWUP: Beach Drive crash victim identified as retired fire captain

(WSB photo, Friday)

Two days after a collision on Beach Drive killed a scooter rider, he has been publicly identified as a retired Kirkland Fire Department captain. The Kirkland Firefighters union posted this:

Your Kirkland Firefighters are so sad to announce the sudden and tragic passing of one of our own. Retired Captain Keith Adams was killed [Friday] in a motor vehicle accident in West Seattle. Captain Adams served the citizens of Kirkland for 37 years until his retirement in May of 2018. It isn’t possible to capture how we are all feeling at this moment, but we can say that we are grateful to have known Captain Adams and his family. Please say a prayer for his wife and three daughters who are now struggling to figure out how to move forward without their husband and father. The family requests privacy at this time. Captain Adams loved his career of service to this community and it only felt appropriate to tell you of his passing.

(In addition to that announcement, we have separate confirmation of the crash victim’s identity.) Police say he was riding northbound on Beach Drive in the Me-Kwa-Mooks vicinity when a driver parked on the east side of the street pulled out into his path to attempt a U-turn. The online case record does not yet show whether that driver has been or will be cited.

ADDED MONDAY: From Mr. Adams’ family: “In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Medic One Foundation. Donations can be made here: mediconefoundation.org/ways-to-give/donate-online.”

Soren April 4, 2021 (12:33 pm)

I only knew Keith for a short time, but he was an amazing person and kind-hearted neighbor that will never be forgotten. He was always there with a bright smile, a helping hand and a motivating word, even on truly gray days. My heartfelt condolences to those that knew him well. Kim and his family especially. For those of us fortunate to have known him at all, there will always be a place in our hearts and thoughts for Keith Adams.

Soccer Mom April 4, 2021 (4:13 pm)

He was a man of great character who loved his family dearly. He will be missed by everyone whose lives he touched.

R3 April 4, 2021 (5:16 pm)

Heartbreaking. Wasn’t there another motorcyclist who was seriously injured when a car pulled a u-turn in front of them on Admial a couple years ago?

Trish Savelle April 4, 2021 (6:51 pm)

I’ve known Keith since the early 80s. He has been a great friend to my family and always treated us with great kindness and generosity. This is a devastating loss for all who knew him, but especially for his family; his wife and his THREE daughters, as well as two dearly loved grandkids. Rest easy, Keith, you are and will be, sorely missed.

aa April 5, 2021 (5:34 am)

I keep thinking about the driver, how this one small error in judgement has changed the lives of so many people including their own. Thinking about all the times I have been behind someone who fails to use their turn signal, pulls out into traffic without signaling, who is still even today holding their phone as they drive, changing lanes abruptly, racing from lane to lane as if their destination is more important. Any one of these choices that we all make every day have the possibility of ending in the result that this driver has to live with for the rest of their life.

Scubafrog April 5, 2021 (7:53 am)

What a huge loss. Mr. Adam’s contributed so much to the community, and to humanity. Innumerable lives saved, and changed for the better thanks to Mr. Adam’s life works.My heart’s with Keith’s family and friends during this terrible time.