UPDATE: Crash on eastbound West Seattle Bridge

11:36 PM: Police are blocking all lanes of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge except the exit lane to northbound 99, because of what so far appears to be a one-vehicle crash, with the driver apparently having walked away from the scene – possibly westbound in the eastbound lanes.

12:07 AM: Officers just told dispatch that all lanes on the bridge have reopened. The mystery of the driver hasn’t been solved yet; officers went to the South Seattle residence of the vehicle’s registered owner but reported back that no one answered the door. (Added: The vehicle is a Hyundai Sonata.)

Steph February 3, 2024 (11:48 am)

I avoided the West Seattle bridge for over a decade because I knew it was unsafe to have such extreme weight loads on it, in addition to the congestion which restricted escape/evacuation. Now I will not use it because it is obviously still not safe. Why are there so many crashes and accidents? Is it the signage? Lack of lighting? Poor lane management? Does anyone know how many accidents there have been since it reopened and how it compares to other bridges?

bolo February 3, 2024 (7:07 pm)

In most cases we have to blame it on “driver error.”

Either:
Distracted driving (texting, scrolling thru phone, checking IG, VM, etc.)
Reckless driving (speeding, driving too fast for road/weather conditions, lack of patience, risky maneuvers, road rage)
Lack of emergency skills (ex: what to do if your vehicle start sliding to the right in a left-hand curve)
Popularity of tippy poor handling vehicles (SUVs, trucks) that many insist on driving like sports cars
Unlicensed drivers in stolen vehicles with no consideration for public safety
DUI

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE where the driver immediately ran away before police could arrive, is a classic example of DUI behavior. Crash while intoxicated, disappear quick before the police can administer a breathalyzer test. Save $$$ in fines, higher insurance premiums, license suspension, etc.

100,000s navigate that section daily without crashing and you want to blame the infrastructure?

Patrick February 3, 2024 (12:50 pm)

Driving by last night and I said to my wife “I bet this is already on the WestSeattleBlog”… 😅

Susan February 4, 2024 (11:28 am)

The number of reckless drivers on the Bridge never ceases to amaze me these days. The speed limit is 45, but you’re an outlier if not driving 60, and I’ve seen many going far more than that, in addition to aggressive driving. Bobbing and weaving, riding 2 ft. behind the car in front of them. The other day I glanced over at a driver who had been driving far too close behind me as they passed me on the I-90 floating bridge. It was a young woman holding her phone on top of the steering wheel texting.

Sorry, comment time is over.