TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on westbound West Seattle Bridge

Another one-car crash toward the west end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge. The driver was apparently unhurt but their Jeep Liberty is reported to be partly blocking traffic as it approaches the Fauntleroy end of the bridge. One caller, according to dispatch, reported the vehicle had flipped; this is out of camera range so we haven’t confirmed that.

18 Replies to "TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on westbound West Seattle Bridge"

  • Josh October 16, 2023 (5:13 pm)

    It’s crazy how fast people hit that curve at. I don’t speed so I don’t know exactly how fast people are going but I am shocked at how few accidents there are at that turn in the bridge on a rainy given how many cars go screaming by me. 

  • CARGUY October 16, 2023 (5:27 pm)

    I get off at the Delridge exit so I never experienced this corner until today running some errands. After reading multiple posts about this corner it was in my head to pay attention driving around it this afternoon in the crazy rain. I encountered zero slippage going 40mph (which was flow of traffic) I do have very nice Michelin all season tires, but I’m thinking speed is the common factor here. I’m sure it’s a different story going 60+

    • Lola October 17, 2023 (7:42 am)

      Carguy, I was surprised like you how many people wipe out at this curve.  I take this everyday and like you am doing about 40 or speed of traffic, I do notice when it goes from the Ridgid pavement to smooth but have never slipped or flipped my car the way all these people are doing.  It is lighter cars that are flipping?  It is just mind boggling how many have flipped at this spot.  Or are they speeding up and is that when they flip?  Just weird. 

  • Tamrack October 16, 2023 (5:51 pm)

    Maybe if SDOT places a slippery sign right before the curve, might give drivers the idea to SLOW DOWN! 

    • Jort October 16, 2023 (6:57 pm)

      SDOT did put a sign up. It’s called the speed limit sign. Note the word LIMIT, not “minimum” or “suggestion.” Frankly, if SPD is going to choose not to enforce any traffic laws in the city (despite increasing traffic fatalities, you’d think they’d want to increase public safety, as they claim), then perhaps some self-selection into self-inflicted crashes is all that’s left. Don’t like crashing? Slow down. Not complicated. At all. 

      • bill October 16, 2023 (7:44 pm)

        Jort: Darwinian disqualification from driving does not work with modern super-safe cars.

    • bill October 16, 2023 (7:41 pm)

      Tamrack: In fact there is an advisory speed sign (yellow) marked 30 with squiggly lines giving a hint of what your car might do. 

    • miws October 16, 2023 (8:15 pm)

      I haven’t been along there in ages, but are there no longer “slippery when wet” signs ahead of that curve with the suggested reduced speed? Signs have been there as far back as I can remember.  —–Mike

    • Julian October 16, 2023 (9:07 pm)

      There already is such a sign, it’s the yellow sign with the car and the squiggly lines behind it and it says 30mph below it 

  • Derek October 16, 2023 (5:57 pm)

    Saw this on my ride home, it’s on the curve close to bridge exit at Fauntleroy. It looked like a flat. It’s not flipped.

  • Brian October 16, 2023 (6:43 pm)

    The only reason so many single car accidents happen at this exact spot is because a lot of folks do not slow down to 30mph (per the signage) and it has consequences when it’s wet outside. I’ve experienced an unsteady ride there and I checked my speed and, sure enough, I was over. 

  • Rob October 16, 2023 (7:56 pm)

    Like I always  say when headed  west on the bridge ” go as fast as you want but I’ll meet you at the red light”

  • Vee October 16, 2023 (8:11 pm)

    I rarely see anyone go the speed limit there, people ride my tail ,cross lanes and SPEED,  go way too fast, its scary

  • NW October 16, 2023 (8:35 pm)

    My experience taking the ferry to and from Vashon over many decades, I don’t live in Vashon live by The Junction, is that a lot of the traffic speeding through our streets in West Seattle and along the bridge is generated from ferry traffic. 

  • Derrick October 16, 2023 (11:10 pm)

    Unrelated question, but right at that spot- but it looked like the statues right there have been “knocked back” a bit. Also, one has had a prominent cut at the ankle where somebody tried to steal the statue. I know one of the three statues has even been gone for a while. What can we do to “revitalize” those statues? Would be nice to repair them, and if possible replace the missing one. Perhaps even some way to beautify that little strip with nicer landscaping. I’d donate. 

    • WSB October 17, 2023 (12:58 am)

      Hi – there were originally four; two have been stolen. None of the remaining organizations that had some involvement with them will claim them now. If you want to start a new beautification effort, let us know, we’d be happy to publicize it as we did with others years ago …TR

  • Watertowerjim October 17, 2023 (6:18 am)

    That area is notorious for people trying to jump ahead one or two cars before the light.  It’s like demolition derby.  Unless you take the “free right” at 35th these maneuvers don’t by you much because everyone bunches up again at the light.

  • Sillygoose October 17, 2023 (8:01 am)

    Last time I came in the way the bottom half of welcome to West Seattle was missing? Despicable the statues have been stolen. 

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