UPDATE: Two cars abandoned after crashing on West Seattle Bridge ramp to 99

(Screengrab from SDOT camera)

2:08 AM: Police are at the scene of a two-car crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge offramp to 99. One car flipped. They don’t know who was driving either car because everybody got out and left in another vehicle. The two were racing, according to at least one 911 caller. One car is a white 2016 Kia Soul, not (yet) reported stolen (police are going to the Alki address where it’s registered to see); the other was only described as a rental with Florida plates and extensive ignition damage. Tow trucks have been called for both. Until they’re cleared, the ramp is inaccessible.

2:31 AM: The officer who went to check with the Soul’s owner just reported back to dispatch that it was indeed a not-yet-reported stolen car. (It’s the car that flipped.)

Sam-c November 4, 2023 (6:09 am)

That really sucks…. Getting woken up in the middle of the night to find out your car was stolen AND wrecked.

crabgrass November 4, 2023 (6:14 am)

Some of the teenagers that are stealing these Kia’s are not even of legal age to drive, and have no experience behind the wheel. This is soo dangerous. Soo bad for Kia to have enabled such easy theft entry to their vehicles . #staysafe

heartless November 4, 2023 (10:32 am)

Driving–and especially speeding–in the rain is indeed exceptionally dangerous. Even if it’s your own car, and even if you’re an adult. Just witness the number of crashes reported on this blog, even limited to the bridge area.

Jeepney November 4, 2023 (7:11 am)

Sorry for the victims who lost their vehicles. Innocent question, why hasn’t Kia issued a recall to fix the theft issue?

Jort November 4, 2023 (10:05 am)

Good question! The U.S. recall process is for “safety defects” or “noncompliance” with safety-related regulation. Like a faulty part that would result in dangerous driving conditions. But, you might say, “clearly these stolen cars are a public safety danger!” Obviously they are. But to recognize that the vehicle itself is inherently risky when operated by malicious drivers would open a particular can of liability worms that not one automobile manufacturer, nor regulatory-captured government agency, wants to explore. Then they would have to acknowledge the safety of vehicles as part of a broader, holistic system, and not just as a series of engineering challenges to overcome. The more you know!
- spooled November 4, 2023 (12:35 pm)
  
  What a way to spin vehicle theft and criminal activity into an anti-car soapbox.
  - Jort November 4, 2023 (5:17 pm)
    
    Oh, I’m sorry, is it considered “anti-car” to illustrate the ways in which regulators approach the concept of automotive safety? That’s a new one.
  - tonenotvolume November 5, 2023 (1:29 am)
    
    Too “woke” for you?
WS Res November 4, 2023 (10:15 am)

If only we had a government regulation…
- I love beer November 4, 2023 (11:18 am)
  
  Actually, this could be a job for a class action lawyer. Another example of corporations being too big to care. You may not need government regulation, but sometimes you do need a good lawyer…
  - WS Res November 4, 2023 (4:22 pm)
    
    No, we needed a regulation. Companies have written so many mandates about mediation/waiving the right to class action into their contracts (just wait until you read about what you’ve agreed to share with various companies just by turning on the electronics! ) that the consumer has very little power. This is why we have a government which ought to be acting to protect our interests, but unfortunately more often acts to protect corporations’ interests.

ABCDE November 4, 2023 (8:52 am)

Racing stolen cars in the rain. Because???

Sarge November 4, 2023 (10:05 am)

Some teenagers seem to have a very fine line between “fun” and “death” eh?
- PDiddy November 5, 2023 (12:41 am)
  
  Start charging everyone over 15 as an adult when they commit adult crimes. Prison equals better public safety when it comes to these people.

DL November 4, 2023 (9:56 am)

I wonder if the light colored Kia is the one that crashed into our fence, gas meter and house earlier? Thanks for the tip west seattle blog. Stay safe out there everyone. And get to know your neighbours. Because you will need them one day and we sure were glad for all the people who supported us , our dog and our 11 year old last night in arbor heights.

waikikigirl November 4, 2023 (10:18 am)

My question is why is Tik Tok letting these “how to easily steal a Kia” video even be published, isn’t this where it all started and the criminals ran with it? I know its too late now it is out there now, but geez!

Jeff November 4, 2023 (11:52 am)

The Anarchist Cookbook was published more than 50 years ago, and while some people don’t like it, it is perfectly legal to possess and distribute information that might be misused (the FBI officially agrees in that example). I can’t imagine the means of distribution being tiktok challenges that precedent in any meaningful way.
Brian November 4, 2023 (12:13 pm)

Why would you blame a digital information carrier for publishing information that is the responsibility of the manufacturing corporation to fix?
- waikikigirl November 4, 2023 (1:15 pm)
  
  Not pointing finger, but yes I guess I am, but “some” people if you put an idea in their head they run with it and Tik Tok didn’t help matters or the people who post those vids.
  - Anne November 4, 2023 (2:55 pm)
    
    Kind of like blaming video games for aberrant behavior?? Baloney – the only place blame belongs are on the car thieves – period.
- uncle loco November 4, 2023 (1:21 pm)
  
  How about putting the blame on the car thieves themselves or is that asking too much? It’s not like they’re stealing the cars to trade for a loaf of bread to feed their families.
  - waikikigirl November 4, 2023 (6:19 pm)
    
    Yes you all are correct but I still put some of the blame on the people who are thieves themself by posting these “how to’s” on the internet and then the car thieves run with it. But yes again no one is making these jerks do the stealing.Just my opinion no need to point finger at this old lady.✌️

Bradley November 4, 2023 (10:51 am)

Kia and Hyundai car sales should be boycotted. And our AG’s need to take action.

PSPS November 4, 2023 (12:08 pm)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/01/27/seattle-sues-car-makers

Zipda November 4, 2023 (11:35 am)

What is meant by extensive ignition damage?

WSwhat? November 4, 2023 (2:13 pm)

To steal a car made sometime after 1990, you can’t simply hotwire it or put a screwdriver in the ignition. There is a steering wheel lock (a rod that goes into the steering wheel ring) that stops the wheel from turning unless the key is used to release it when the ignition is turned. This rod can be pulled out if you rip the ignition off the steering column. It’s hard to do if you don’t know how it works. But it’s a very rudimentary system that hasn’t been improved upon in 30 years, and easy once you’ve seen the parts.
- bolo November 5, 2023 (10:03 am)
  
  I had a 1969 car that had it.

CSG November 4, 2023 (12:11 pm)

My wife and I have a 2021 Kia Soul. It’s happens to be the second Kia we have owned. We love it. To suggest, as Bradley has, that Kia and Hyundai cars should be boycotted is ludicrous. A while back I received a letter from Kia informing me that they have developed a security update that would be installed by my Kia dealer that would prevent the car from starting if it didn’t have a key in the ignition. Now, that security software doesn’t keep someone from breaking the window and entering the car, but it will prevent the car from starting, preventing it to be driven. There is nothing wrong with Kia or Hyundai cars, they do what a car is suppose to do. There is something terribly wrong with people in our community who think it’s ok to steal cars for fun, or using a stolen car to smash through a business’s front door to loot. That’s the problem.

Tired of the BS November 4, 2023 (12:28 pm)

You can ask for all the regulation you want but until the justice system holds these criminals accountable to the maximum allowed by RCW 9A.56.065 where theft of a motor vehicle is a class B felony punishable by a maximum of 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine, nothing will change.

Alki Jack November 4, 2023 (10:13 pm)

I guess I am different than all the other commenters. I am not as concerned with the easy theft of Kia”s and Hyundai’s as I am about how many people could be seriously injured or killed by the theft and high speed racing & stunt driving by these youngsters. Many peoples lives could be in serious jeopardy as a result of these thieves. There appears to be a two part problem…bad or little parenting and lack of police. This happened at 2:00AM in the morning, parents should be responsible to make sure their kids are home and in bed long before 2AM!

Sorry, comment time is over.