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UPDATE: Power outage for 4,700 West Seattle customers after driver hits pole and building on Admiral Way

July 2, 2023 2:09 am
|      107 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

2:09 AM: Power flickered here in Upper Fauntleroy and that was first indication that others have lost power somewhere – apparently because of a driver hitting a pole on SW Admiral Way at Waite. Updates to come.

2:12 AM: Almost 4,700 customers are out. The driver is also reported to have hit the Aegis Living building.

2:23 AM: Above is a reader photo from the scene. Emergency responders are arriving at the scene. Haven’t yet heard whether the driver or anyone else is hurt. … Other areas report hearing “booms” just after the crash – The Junction and Delridge is who we’ve heard from/about – possibly some sort of chain reaction. … Note that you’re going to hear extra sirens in the early stage of any major outage, because fire alarms are often set off. (Daytime outages also tend to bring responses for people getting stuck in elevators but that’s not an issue right now.)

2:35 AM: Added above, also from our reader at the scene, the vehicle in which the driver hit the pole and building. Firefighters have told dispatch that he’s been evaluated and “does not want to go to the hospital.”

2:44 AM: Another reader photo added above – this one looking west/downhill at where the pole is blocking Admiral. It’ll be blocked for a while. There’s also a significant fuel spill from the crash, dispatch has been told; SDOT has to be summoned for that.

3:01 AM: From yet another reader (thanks to everyone texting photos – 206-293-6302 is our 24/7 hotline), a closer view of how the crash ended. … The driver is under investigation for DUI.

3:10 AM: About two-thirds of the outage zone has been restored – down now to 1,600+ still out:

4:40 AM: A few more customers have been restored, but the total out is still 1,600+.

8:41 AM: Everyone’s back on as of a little over an hour ago.

10:35 AM: Thanks for the texted photo and report that City Light brought in the replacement pole:

12:30 PM: As of about half an hour ago, Admiral Way was still closed and crews were still working at the scene.

2:37 PM: 12+ hours after the crash, the reader who’s been keeping us up to date just sent this new photo as SCL crews work to connect the lines:

4:30 PM: As noted separately, Admiral Way has reopened.

ADDED MONDAY: SPD says a 23-year-old man was arrested for suspicion of DUI but was not booked into jail.

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107 Replies to "UPDATE: Power outage for 4,700 West Seattle customers after driver hits pole and building on Admiral Way"

  • Lisa July 2, 2023 (2:10 am)

    Power flickered 3x here on Delridge/Holden too.

  • Brian Engler July 2, 2023 (2:11 am)

    Yes power is out here just west of the Alaska Junction.

  • Betty July 2, 2023 (2:11 am)

    Power out in North Admiral 

  • Jon Wright July 2, 2023 (2:12 am)

    Out just west of Alaska Junction.

  • ttt July 2, 2023 (2:12 am)

    out in AK junction…

  • Sue H July 2, 2023 (2:12 am)

    I hope the driver is okay. I’m in Gatewood and my lights dimmed for a second and then the alarm went off on my oxygen concentrator that it had lost power for a few seconds. That’s always my cue that something has happened nearby.

  • WGA July 2, 2023 (2:13 am)

    41st and Edmunds. Lost power just after 2am. Power restored a minute or two later.

  • GHill July 2, 2023 (2:13 am)

    Power out in Genesee Hill near Alaska Junction around 2:05am.

  • PB2 July 2, 2023 (2:14 am)

    Power is out in Seaview 

  • SnakeHill Neighbor July 2, 2023 (2:15 am)

    Heard (and seemingly felt) one very large bang/boom and then another, smaller, one a few seconds later.  Power is now out.  I’m south of Camp Long on 30th Ave. SW.  Assuming this is linked.

  • Cyn B July 2, 2023 (2:15 am)

    Power is out in Fairmont Park area. 

    • Duckie July 2, 2023 (7:25 pm)

      FYI, it’s actually spelled “Fairmount” and can be understandably confused with the “Fairmont” incorrect spelling for those who may not have been raised in that neighborhood.

  • Lola July 2, 2023 (2:16 am)

    How many times is this going to happen 

    • Anon July 2, 2023 (2:43 am)

      Swear to poop that pole needs to be moved and Aegis needs to put up a barrier.

      • CW July 2, 2023 (3:20 am)

        Different pole this time

      • Beep July 2, 2023 (8:08 am)

        Why should Aegis put time and money towards putting up a barrier? Maybe people need to stop driving drunk! Also please consider that emergency vehicles and fire dept and AMR needs to be able to access the building. This crash looks like they had to have gone into the front courtyard. 

        • Byron James July 2, 2023 (12:42 pm)

          The city could place some ecoblocks along the curb. It wouldn’t cost Aegis anything.

    • Schmitz Park July 2, 2023 (11:23 am)

      Yeah, I think we need to get the city to put up a guardrail along the outside of that curve on Admiral.They’ve already put in all the traffic calming for an arterial, time for a barrier.

  • Steve Holt July 2, 2023 (2:16 am)

    2 loud bangs heard at 30th and Brandon.Probably overloaded a couple of transformers attempting to compensate.Last time, it was like 4 hours to resolve when they blew. Get some ice folks. 

  • SnakeHill Neghbor July 2, 2023 (2:16 am)

    Heard (and seemingly felt) one very large bang/boom and then another, smaller, one a few seconds later.  Power is now out.  I’m south of Camp Long on 30th Ave. SW.  Assuming this is linked.

  • Nicky west July 2, 2023 (2:16 am)

    Out at California/Dawson

  • Erithan July 2, 2023 (2:16 am)

    Lost power at Alaska House oddly, we never lose power and it’s so far away!

  • JoanE July 2, 2023 (2:19 am)

    Lights flickered a couple times on Gatewood Hill about 10 minutes ago

  • Alki resident July 2, 2023 (2:19 am)

    Alaska Junction completely black

    • Anon July 2, 2023 (2:44 am)

      We have power at 4730 Cali.

  • WCRose July 2, 2023 (2:20 am)

    We’re out in the Alaska Junction (46th/Alaska)  Hope power comes back on soon.  So many sirens. There was a flash and sound right before power went out. It woke me up.

  • miws July 2, 2023 (2:20 am)

    Out in 1700 block California —Mike

  • Geneseehillresident July 2, 2023 (2:20 am)

    Isn’t this the second time a driver has hit that exact pole in under a year

  • SB July 2, 2023 (2:20 am)

    Just heard another explosion at 2:20am. Assuming this was another transformer exploding.

  • M Williams July 2, 2023 (2:23 am)

    Internet appears to be down as well.     

  • Josh Cooler July 2, 2023 (2:23 am)

    Power went out with two flickers and big booms were heard around Delridge 

  • Iva July 2, 2023 (2:23 am)

    47th and admiral way, no power, appears to be similar spot as the crash that took place last year. I heard some shouts at 2:20am near the scene. Heard a large vehicle pull up otherwise it’s dark and silent at the moment. I hope everyone is okay. Now hearing distant siren at 2:23am. 

  • Michael July 2, 2023 (2:25 am)

    On California Ave just south of the Junction. Hearing sirens to the north now. We always loose power whenever there’s an issue on the grid. However, this sounds like a possible DUI event and pray no one has been injured…….

  • Anon July 2, 2023 (2:26 am)

    Power on at  4730 cali but off all around. Weird. 

  • Anonymous July 2, 2023 (2:31 am)

    Wow. I saw it flicker. Fauntleroy and Alaska have power and internet.

  • Alk junction July 2, 2023 (2:33 am)

    Alk junction south and all the neighbors but heard two loud bangs all the way over here too 

  • Alki resident July 2, 2023 (2:33 am)

    Had to have been flying. Drunk driver or stolen car. This is maddening 

  • Stephen July 2, 2023 (2:34 am)

    I was just driving home right before this happened and saw a giant green flare in the sky over admiral before getting to the blacked out area – I thought it was a firework. Hope no one was seriously hurt.

  • bob July 2, 2023 (2:35 am)

    Strangely this kind of incident is similar to last year in September 8. Similar story, same map of the areas power outage, and at the same building nearby. check the website:https://westseattleblog.com/2022/09/4600-out-of-power-in-west-seattle/

  • Anon July 2, 2023 (2:36 am)

    Is the very loud electronic beeping noise near 42nd and Hudson related?

    • WSB July 2, 2023 (3:03 am)

      Yes, as mentioned above, power outages tend to set off alarms – fire alarms, carbon-monoxide alarms.

  • Morgan July 2, 2023 (2:43 am)

    So off the system isn’t redundant enough to survive just one pole loss isn’t it?

    • Jay July 2, 2023 (9:12 am)

      The majority of land area is covered by low density development. The average taxes paid per parcel in the suburbs doesn’t cover maintenance, and the city isn’t big enough to fully subsidize the suburbs. Countries that do have modern and resilient power infrastructure have higher density development, due to higher tax revenue for a given area covered.

      • CAM July 2, 2023 (1:20 pm)

        Am I understanding you correctly that you think West Seattle is a suburb? Lots of people that live here might want it to be but it is absolutely part of the city and gets the same tax allotment as the rest of the city for maintenance. This is not a city vs suburb issue. 

  • R July 2, 2023 (2:48 am)

    Flash and crackle boom on the large power right outside my fourth floor window, then down the line. Seaview. Hope the folks at Aegis and everyone else okay.

  • Anon July 2, 2023 (2:50 am)

    Beautiful moon, btw.

  • Neighbor July 2, 2023 (2:51 am)

    Admiral/46th here. This exact same thing happened back in October. Something really has to be done about the speeding down Admiral or that sharp turn. Cars are constantly being hit along Admiral and you can hear the speeding all night long.

    • Me mama July 2, 2023 (3:48 am)

      Agreed!  This is an annual event, if not more.  People need to not drink and drive, or speed,  but is there some structural slowing that could Happen at this spot to prevent the speeding at least? 

  • Steven July 2, 2023 (2:55 am)

    Great reporting! The power here in the Junction went out right at 2:12a.m. I didn’t hear anything here. The power was restored within a minute or so. I also noticed the fire truck and two different police cruisers down this way. I hope the driver will be okay. 

    • Robin July 2, 2023 (3:09 am)

      Your compassion is needed. I do not know of the driver or situation, but you’re right.  Care for each other and the other too.

      • Alki resident July 2, 2023 (6:32 am)

        I have zero compassion for drunk drivers. 

      • Lisab July 2, 2023 (11:57 am)

        We don’t need to have compassion for drunk drivers!

      • Ly July 2, 2023 (5:00 pm)

        Drunk driver killed my friend in December last year in Burien. And for that he got only 18 months of jail. So no, I have no compassion for those that drive drunk. 

  • Brooke July 2, 2023 (3:01 am)

    We’re at the South end of the outage map. Our lights flickered several times, but power didn’t go completely out. Thank you WSB!

  • wsres July 2, 2023 (3:04 am)

    is that the Aegis building that they hit? so forgot to turn with admiral way?

    • WSB July 2, 2023 (3:14 am)

      yes, noted in 2:12 am line above, Aegis Living. through pole and into the entrance.

  • 49th dude July 2, 2023 (3:05 am)

    Slow the f#!K down! How many time are we going to deal with someone crash into neighbors wall or power poles before some dies. Oh wait that already happened years ago and that’s why the cross walk was put in 

    • Jason July 2, 2023 (4:13 am)

      You’ve gotta be sober to be able to recognize you’re going too fast.  That was the missing element here. 😉

      • Steve July 2, 2023 (11:33 am)

        And you have to be sober to know you’ve had too much alcohol. Drinking is a slippery slope, drinking impairs your judgement. Judgement that’s needed to stop drinking and/or not drive.

  • Ethan July 2, 2023 (3:07 am)

    Power came back on at 35th and Dawson

  • Brian July 2, 2023 (3:10 am)

    Back on at 41st south of Brandon

  • WCRose July 2, 2023 (3:13 am)

    Power back now in the Alaska Junction. 
    46th/Alaska

  • WSNeighbor July 2, 2023 (3:14 am)

    Power is back on at 48th/Alaska 

  • Alston July 2, 2023 (3:16 am)

    My astound internet is also out.

  • 22blades July 2, 2023 (3:18 am)

    Most egregious drivers I’ve seen are construction trucks: 40 mph in an active school zone, another at the very same location at Aegis  going so fast the trailer attached became unstable. Westbound at that location has a bad sight line. The road disappears & you’re met with a descending left turn & the centerline doesn’t line up. The crown to the right doesn’t help either just like at the Belvidere Overlook. People are going WAY TOO FAST.

    • WestSeattleBadTakes July 2, 2023 (7:53 am)

      There should be no question as to why people are going too fast when you look at that street design.

      Paint is not infrastructure. Unless the paint is magic of course.

      Heck, according to our resident “traffic scientists”, the fact that people are going faster on that road indicates the speed limit is too low. It should be increased if the 85th percentile indicates it.

    • MSW July 2, 2023 (8:22 am)

      Ever since they rechanneled Admiral, the curve seems off when turning down the hill. 

      • Reed July 3, 2023 (5:37 am)

        Only if you are going too fast.

    • Schmitz Park July 2, 2023 (11:26 am)

      How do we go about asking the city to install a guardrail on the outside of this curve?

      • WestSeattleBadTakes July 3, 2023 (7:49 am)

        We’ve tried nothing, and we’re all out of ideas!

  • Me mama July 2, 2023 (3:59 am)

    I’m sure this was terrifying for many at Aegis!  I’m so glad no one was hurt.I hope this drunk driver has to pay for all the repairs at Aegis as well as time for the cost of repairing the electrical System we all rely on.  I need to electricity at this moment and I don’t have ittheres no excuse for drunk driving (Uber, taxi, bike, walk, don’t drink too much…), I hope the driver gets the book thrown at him and thanks his lucky stars it wasn’t worse.  And learns a lesson 

    • Pete July 2, 2023 (6:54 am)

      I’m always shocked how people drive drunk. There really is absolutely no excuse. This road and that turn in particular are really dangerous, especially downhill. I’m not sure what other traffic calming features can be put in. I drive home via admiral every day and stick to the limit. Every single time I will have someone riding my bumper. It’s not just beach goers, it’s local residents too. 

      • WestSeattleBadTakes July 2, 2023 (7:44 am)

        I love how this starts with drunk drivers and quickly shifts to just normal everyday driving behavior.

        • bill July 2, 2023 (9:39 pm)

          DUI is normal everyday driving behavior for a great many drivers.

      • Lisab July 2, 2023 (1:35 pm)

        Drunk drivers are a menace to society and should face severe penalties. 

  • Rone July 2, 2023 (4:55 am)

    Hope everyone in Aegis is okay and don’t need power for any medical reasons. Also hope the driver burns in hell if they were drunk. Alcohol is for the simple chump and needs to be banned. The fights, arguments, driving accidents are disgusting and embarrassing. It’s time to make the alcohol penalty’s harsher and stop making these incidents so common and tolerable. Hey, I’m having a bad day time to drink. Hey, I’m having a good day time to drink. Its poison to our bodies and relationships. People are still driving around with multiple duis…it’s disgusting. It seems like there is a lot of money to be made off of these horrific mistakes so they keep going on. Through the judicial system. Shame on us for letting it go on so long…alcohol is so simple and stupid.

  • eatbat3 July 2, 2023 (5:42 am)

    Power still out in North Admiral.  The crazy thing is the last time our power went out it was because another someone hit that same pole and landed in the exact same spot in front of Aeigs.

  • eatbat3 July 2, 2023 (5:52 am)

    Different pole, apparently, but same final resting place for the vehicle. 

  • Audifans July 2, 2023 (6:16 am)

    can’t make that turn, you shouldn’t be driving

  • CR July 2, 2023 (7:23 am)

    Still out of power on 49th/Admiral.

    Thank you City Light workers for responding quickly on a Sunday morning so that we can get power restored!

  • Dana July 2, 2023 (7:25 am)

    We’re still out North Admiral 

    • Dana July 2, 2023 (7:38 am)

      Just came back!

  • Tim July 2, 2023 (7:32 am)

    Power just came on…Waite St, just down from Aegis

  • Priscilla Knoble July 2, 2023 (7:34 am)

    Power just restored in north admiral a few minutes ago! 45th and Seattle.

  • Mary July 2, 2023 (7:34 am)

    Just came back on, 46th and Admiral.

  • Admiral resident July 2, 2023 (7:37 am)

    Power back on in Admiral District at 7:33.

  • Dana B July 2, 2023 (7:38 am)

    7:35am power on at SW Grayson and 51st Ave SW.  Thank you utility workers!

  • Paul July 2, 2023 (7:38 am)

    Power back on Hill St and 45th.

  • John July 2, 2023 (7:41 am)

    North Admiral. My power never went out, but Comcast is down. Don’t know if that’s related or not. 

  • miws July 2, 2023 (7:42 am)

    Back on 1700 block of California! Thanks, SCL! —Mike

  • Bigdaddyalki July 2, 2023 (7:50 am)

    Power back on at 45th/Seattle Ave 

  • Graham Murphy July 2, 2023 (7:51 am)

    Back on in North Admiral. Thank you to SCL and SDOT workers and first responders who worked hard overnight to restore power and ensure public safety. This could have been even more catastrophic with the fuel spill. You all did awesome!

  • Joan July 2, 2023 (8:01 am)

    Power back at California and Seattle.

  • Payment July 2, 2023 (8:03 am)

    So who is going to pay??

  • Gym member July 2, 2023 (8:15 am)

    LA Fitness does not have electricity this morning.

  • Jay July 2, 2023 (9:18 am)

    These giant trucks and SUVs literally have worse sight lines than an M1 Abrams tank. Look up diagrams for blind areas if you don’t believe me. Driving around in a massive vehicle whose height will ensure fatalities of pedestrians and sedan drivers, with limited visibility due to the design and vanity height of the engine block, and a drunk driver on top of that… it’s insanity.

  • Josh July 2, 2023 (10:07 am)

    Now I know why my sous vide had turned off sometime last night on the oxtail I was cooking for a couple days. That guy owes me $30 bucks. 

  • Liz July 2, 2023 (12:06 pm)

    Maybe this has already been addressed, but what direction was the person coming from? And did someone confirm this was a drunk driver? I mean assume it was… 

    • WSB July 2, 2023 (12:26 pm)

      They were under investigation for DUI. That does NOT mean they’re guilty. Not even charged yet (that would usually be at least a few days down the line). I don’t have the name nor is there an obvious match on the jail roster, so I don’t have their status either.

      • Liz July 2, 2023 (1:48 pm)

        Thanks for the info! 

  • Patrick July 2, 2023 (1:34 pm)

    Hope they throw the book at this drunk driving idiot.

  • WS Res July 2, 2023 (1:40 pm)

    My partner and I learn about overnight power outages when our CPAPs suddenly stop working – nothing like waking up feeling like you’re being smothered!  We can also tell when the power comes on because every light in the house that’s on one of our IKEA “Tradfri” remotes suddenly comes on.  Gonna be a long day today.

  • James July 2, 2023 (6:34 pm)

    Hope my electric bill dosen t increase to pay for this mess

    • WS Res July 2, 2023 (10:50 pm)

      James, we all had a meeting and agreed that in fact we’d be sending you the bill personally. Thanks for taking one for the team.

  • Cat July 2, 2023 (10:39 pm)

    If anyone has insights on insurance coverage and process for an incident like this, I’d be curious to know. The damage was pretty severe for public and private property. If he’s slapped with a DUI, what happens next? Just curious. It’s a huge concern for us as reckless driving is on the rise, and we also want to ensure that we’re properly insured. FYI I was there as a witness. I lean one way in my opinion from seeing the events, but that’s for LE to determine .

    • Local neighbor July 4, 2023 (1:52 am)

      It all depends on what takes place. If he’s charged with DUI he’ll need a lawyer, with lawyer and state penalties, he’s looking at minimum 10k-15k out of pocket and he possibly may receive an additional State penalty which could result in a lot more costs in addition to the DUI. If the state convicts as a felony charge this goes on record which can impacts obtaining employment. Losing license temporarily and paying for a breath machine rental once license is reinstated. The utility company may sue him or make a claim with his insurance for damages and the new pole placement. Aegis could sue him and his insurance for damages to their door. Possibly settled by insurance companies without court. Depends on the insurance the driver has, because of DUI they could try to not cover anything / cancel his policy and he may need to sue his insurance to try to get them to cover. All Depending on the insurance company and policies. Was there enough coverage? Any fill in coverage of insurance? If he can’t pay he may file for bankruptcy otherwise judgements, liens and garnishments can be imposed to collect. Aegis may make their own insurance claim internally with their carrier and have them cover then their insurance could go after the driver to collect. So many possibilities. If he has no priors, not charged with DUI, and the other companies involved just addresses it internally not going after the driver, nothing might happen to him and he will be considered lucky as heck! This is not legal advice just discussion from sadly knowing too many people who faced legal situations. Thankfully no one was hurt here. The driver is lucky. If someone would have passed away or was seriously injured the charges could be more criminal in addition to DUI where the driver would face years or even decades in prison. Scary stuff! 

  • Jeff July 3, 2023 (8:25 am)

    Maybe a bunch of surveillance cameras will fix this /s

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