Teenager investigated for DUI after crash at Walnut/Hinds

SPD has released information today about a crash last night at Walnut/Hinds in which they are investigating a teenage driver for DUI. Above is a photo sent to us today by a neighbor; police say two people were taken to the hospital after the 6:30 pm crash, including the “male juvenile” driver. Police say witnesses told them the driver was speeding before hitting another car and then a utility pole, Their report continues:

Officers also observed drug paraphernalia in the suspect vehicle. A Seattle Police Drug Recognition Expert responded to evaluate the male driver of the suspect vehicle, who exhibited signs of impairment. Officers obtained a search warrant for a blood draw. The male juvenile suspect was processed for driving under the influence and ticketed for additional traffic citations, then released to his guardians.

His age wasn’t in the report, and the case isn’t yet in the public files of the Municipal Court website. Here’s another neighbor photo of the damage done to the utility pole, which is now leaning:

Neighbors say there have been multiple collisions at this intersection.

NW January 7, 2023 (3:52 pm)

https://westseattleblog.com/2022/11/heres-west-seattles-newest-crosswalk/I was riding bicycle home thru the area and noticed the lights of emergency responders. I also drive thru this intersection often wish people would slow down but also have the city install crows walk yield sign or an island to slow traffic down. A block north fortunately one was installed recently. This area is also very close to a public school.

Christine Cranston January 7, 2023 (4:03 pm)

I live near that intersection and I have a request for local parents who let their teenage drivers use their cars. Some of them are speeding, doing illegal turns, preoccupied with phones, weed, and friends, and flipping off other drivers. More injuries and deaths are likely to happen. I implore you to closely monitor the situation. It’s dangerous for all of us.

Gatewood resident January 7, 2023 (8:19 pm)

Darn kids and their rap music
- G January 8, 2023 (2:10 pm)
  
  Lol

Mj January 7, 2023 (4:24 pm)

There have been five recorded incidents at the intersection in the past 10 years, 2-property, 2-injury and 1-serious injury, reference

https:/SeattleCollisions.timganter.io/collisions.

This correlates to one incident every 2-years.

WSB January 7, 2023 (4:34 pm)

Don’t know who that person is, and I appreciate data visualizations, but that’s a little suspect as just listening to the scanner 3/4 of the day, I’ve heard more than one pedestrian incident since the start of the year … as for specific searches on SPD motor-vehicle callouts attributed to Walnut/Hinds (there could be other incidents attributed to a specific address on Walnut or Hinds), there was one just 3+ months ago:
https://twitter.com/SeattlePDW1/status/1571611036167577605
- Christine January 7, 2023 (5:11 pm)
  
  There are definitely more than that person stated. Minimum of 7 or 8 in five years. Probably more. We are going to pursue this with the city.
- N January 7, 2023 (5:24 pm)
  
  I have lived near this intersection for about 4 years, and there has been at least one incident, if not more, per year that I have lived here.
  - bill January 7, 2023 (6:59 pm)
    
    Without police reports none of them happened. I tried to get safety upgrades for intersections near my house. Canvassing neighbors I heard of lots of incidents. But the city had no official reports of collisions so nada.
    - Fiz January 8, 2023 (8:52 am)
      
      @Bill, My experience was similar with a dangerous corner and parking on a hill with limited sight. The rejection letter stated there had not been enough “reportable incidents or a fatality” to warrant changes. So frustrating.

Mj January 7, 2023 (4:55 pm)

The data is from SDoT and documents the recorded data that may not yet include more recent records that still need to be input

Odd son January 7, 2023 (8:12 pm)

True Bill. There’s an intersection by me that I think is dangerous so I did some investigating and contacted SDOT. SDOT goes off of SPD reports but police don’t show up unless there’s an injury or vehicles are disabled. I first realized the reporting issue when I was given a lower number of incidents by SDOT than I personally remember. I only learned of the police requirements for showing up by calling in an accident to 911. SDOT didn’t or doesn’t volunteer that information.

west sea neighbor January 7, 2023 (10:32 pm)

Again? I ride my bike through this intersection often and for some reason there seems to be more speeding through it than other intersections on walnut.

Watertowerjim January 8, 2023 (7:14 am)

I walk this neighborhood all the time and am amazed at how drivers traveling north/south and east/west just assume they have the right of way and the other direction will slow or stop. Do they not teach about uncontrolled intersections in drivers Ed anymore?

AB January 8, 2023 (10:46 pm)

Sadly I have a couple in drivers Ed and they teach them not to stop at uncontrolled intersections. They tell the kids they will deduct points and fail their drivers exam.
- watertowerjim January 9, 2023 (8:41 am)
  
  Crazy! Don’t “stop” I get – but the number of people who don’t even slow down (or look for oncoming traffic) is amazing to me. Thanks

WS Curious January 8, 2023 (8:51 am)

The kid was drunk/high. No roundabout, warning signals, crosswalk lights or anything else would have fixed that. Problematic intersection or not, the big X factor here is a teen under the influence driving a vehicle.

Rabbit January 8, 2023 (9:11 am)

I often walk or bike through this neighborhood. Lots of speeding cars. There is no reason to go 35 mph down these streets. With lots of families here, kids and pets out, watch your speed, people.

Hammer in Hand January 8, 2023 (9:36 am)

In this incident Suspected DUI was the primary factor it seems, and maybe speed, inexperienced driver contributed as well. This is a residential street with a 20mph speed limit. Take away the speed and DUI factors this incident likely does not happen. The courts and prosecutors must hold the parties accountable with stiff punishment to teach a lesson not only to those involve in this one but to the friends of all involved. This could have been so much worse in so many ways. Time will tell whether we are ready to get tough.

anonyme January 8, 2023 (11:42 am)

Make him pay for the damage. What was he under the influence of? Maybe spending an evening in jail with puking drunks and drug addicts might wake him up.

Kathy January 8, 2023 (2:46 pm)

WA should raise driving age to 18 or even 21. If there is a hardship not being able to drive, apply for a waiver and prove it. Lack of bus service in some suburban and rural areas would be an acceptable excuse. In the cites, however, let the kids walk, bike or take the bus, give them free transit passes and get them out from behind the wheel. They say the brain is not fully developed until the age of 25.

Neighborhood Resident January 8, 2023 (7:54 pm)

This is the most ridiculous response I have ever heard. Some people are fully supporting themselves at 18, and you want to make them prove they have a need to be able to drive? What a privileged life you must’ve led.

Christine January 8, 2023 (8:16 pm)

The city needs to listen to its citizens and act on their input. We pay very high property taxes compared to other states but we have to fight to get our basic needs met.

Molly January 8, 2023 (9:32 pm)

Other states pay income taxes to pay for “basic needs.” Overall, we have incredibly low property taxes considering. I know for a fact that many places in Texas, NY, NJ and even Michigan pay higher property tax rates than we do here, where ¾ of those states *also* pay income taxes.

Victoria Brown January 19, 2023 (2:24 pm)

If the “male juvenile” already has alcohol, drugs or medication in his system, I think his family needs to have a discussion about getting him into counseling. This could benefit them personally and in the eyes of the prosecutor.

Sorry, comment time is over.