UPDATE: Truck-on-side crash on westbound West Seattle Bridge

8:53 AM: Thanks for the tips. SPD and SFD are arriving at the scene of what’s described as an “overturned truck” (added: on its side, according to first firefighters there) toward the west end of the westbound bridge. Updates to come.

8:59 AM: Police just told dispatch that they’re diverting traffic at the Admiral exit. They’ve also calling for a second SDOT crew because of a large fluid slick as well as jersey barriers pushed into the opposite direction of traffic (the first crew is helping divert traffic). Meantime, the truck has been described as a “late-model Ford pickup.”

9:08 AM: No word on injuries but all three originally dispatched SFD units have already cleared the scene, which indicates nothing major.

9:28 AM: Tow truck reported to have just arrived.

9:48 AM: Eastbound bridge will be briefly blocked while the jersey barrier is pushed back into place.

10:08 AM: Above is the truck involved in the crash as it was being towed off the bridge. Meantime, police have just reopened the eastbound bridge and expect to reopen the westbound side soon.

10:18 AM: Officers just told dispatch that westbound is open again too.

11:34 AM: SFD tells us the driver, a woman in her mid-40s, was assessed at the scene but didn’t need further treatment.

CarDriver September 2, 2024 (9:54 am)

Sounds like the famous spot where SDOT put new pavement down but stopped halfway through the curve to transition to the old smooth no traction pavement.

WSB September 2, 2024 (9:58 am)

“By the welcome sign” is the only further description of the location that was discussed over the air – no working camera in that area so no visuals (though I just got one of the truck being towed through the field of view at Fauntleroy/35th). The surprise rain could have been a factor.
Reed September 2, 2024 (10:12 am)

Sounds like typical bad driving to me, not something wrong with the road engineering.
- Lisa September 2, 2024 (11:05 am)
  
  We’ve slid in our vehicle a couple of times in that very spot while doing the speed limit. So not necessarily bad/reckless driving.
- Mark September 2, 2024 (1:54 pm)
  
  It’s not a coincidence that all accidents on the viaduct occur after the grooved pavement ends. Folks drive across the bridge going 50-60mph and hit the corner with speed. The grooved pavement holds traction but then suddenly it stops. And cars break traction. They can either add a speed limit sign indicating 35 or 40 mph around the corner or grove the entire corner. But instead they do nothing and we see wreck after wreck especially during the Fall and Winter when the road is slick. Locals know to slow down. But folks not familiar will assume they can carry speed through that corner which in fairness is not a bad assumption. Even going 45 (the speed limit) on a wet day, I can feel my tires slipping.
bill September 2, 2024 (11:11 am)

I predicted the grooved pavement would just encourage drivers to further test the traction limits of their vehicles. There is a reason for speed limits and advisory speeds.
- CarDriver September 2, 2024 (11:47 am)
  
  Bill.You know this driver was exceeding the speed limit. What speed was this driver going?
  - Pete September 2, 2024 (6:21 pm)
    
    Who can say the speed, but speed is almost always the culprit. Yes, that stretch of road can be slippery, but it’s weird how those of us with an ounce of common sense make it through safely. Speed limits are generally matched up pretty well, just follow them and if in doubt on an unfamiliar road maybe cool it a little.
  - bill September 2, 2024 (10:49 pm)
    
    Cardriver: Not exceeding the speed limit is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. RCW 46.61.400: You may not drive “…at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions….” Prudence means you know how your car handles, in this case a pickup with a light rear end that will be prone to spin out. As to how fast the driver was actually going, a lower bound could be estimated from the energy needed to knock the jersey barriers out of place, tip the pickup on its side, and how far it slid. But I don’t have that data, nor am I being paid for the work. And get real, we all know how most drivers behave on that road: they speed!
- Rhonda September 2, 2024 (12:39 pm)
  
  bill, I seriously doubt someone driving a utility vehicle like a full-size pickup truck would want to test their traction limits. A Porsche or Mustang GT, perhaps, but not a light truck.
  - Pete September 2, 2024 (6:16 pm)
    
    I’ve definitely *never* seen a truck being driven aggressively or recklessly, no way haha
  - bill September 2, 2024 (10:51 pm)
    
    Come on Rhonda, do you not observe how people drive?
- Frog September 2, 2024 (1:22 pm)
  
  The posted speed limit on the bridge is 45, but the normal speed seems to be 50-55 mph. They don’t slow down much approaching 35th, never mind the curve and limited sight lines. People are crazy. It’s the fate of sane, relaxed motorists in West Seattle to be trapped between car haters who want the speed limit to be zero, and lunatics who will pass on the left, right, or center to achieve their reckless (but wreckful) GTA fantasy.
  - 1994 September 2, 2024 (2:43 pm)
    
    I take the WS bridge maybe once every 3 months or so. Today when I drove both directions. I was appalled at the speed some drivers are travelling. I know the speed limit is 45 but I travelled at 50. Many drivers tailgated me and many drivers passed me, all probably travelling closer to 60. Speeding is definitely a ‘thing’ on the WS bridge.

Seaview September 2, 2024 (10:50 am)

I noticed that there is a fairly substantial dip in the road at the point where the pavement transitions from new to old. As a vehicle drives through this dip. the front end rises, which is probably causing a lack traction. This could easily cause a driver to lose control, especially considering that the the contact surface on the front wheels is different than on the rear wheels, and it all happens in the middle of a curve. Different vehicles probably react quite differently to these conditions.

oversteer September 2, 2024 (12:26 pm)

From Steve via the Pigeon Point Neighborhood FB page

Curious George September 2, 2024 (1:27 pm)

Thanks for the photo Steve as it explains a lot. Looks to me like a 1/2 ton Ram extended cab short bed with no weight in the bed. Light weight, would slide very easily in new rain on a road with an oil build up. I bet the driver has no experience with this truck in adverse conditions no matter how fast your going..
- Derp September 3, 2024 (8:31 am)
  
  It is a Ford extended cab, not a Dodge.

Marcus September 2, 2024 (2:33 pm)

Been driving these WS roads for many decades in all types of cars at all types of speeds and yes sometimes too fast Although have slowed considerable for the past 10 years. Got to read the road and know how good your tires are. It rained this morning and pavements do change, smooth roads in WS, get real. With few exceptions it is the drivers fault to be observant and drive at posted or reasonable speeds or the conditions. Distracted and fast drivers are the primary reasons for most of these accidents.

Derp September 2, 2024 (5:46 pm)

I hope she is ok. Now does this count as a West Seattle flip ? Just coming off the exit…Asking for a friend, and flip counter

valvashon September 2, 2024 (7:46 pm)

That’s a ninth generation Ford F-150 (1992-1997) if it matters. Since it’s apparently not stolen, it doesn’t as nobody but the driver is looking for it.

ShermanO September 2, 2024 (8:36 pm)

It’s not just the pavement transition. There are actually two bumps there in the middle of the curve. Almost every accident is a truck or SUV with a solid rear axle. There’s something. about unwaiting the rear axle that makes it particularly dangerous. Even going the recommended “slippery when wet” speed I can feel my rear wnd want to step out on my 4Runner. It’s so much more dangerous than most curves. It’s not surprising that drivers underestimate it because it is so unusual.

Hammer in Hand September 2, 2024 (9:35 pm)

Simply just slow down this does not happen at 35mphdruve the conditions regardless of posted speed limitsi get tried of the “get out of my way.. my time is more important than yours” syndrome and it just keeps getting worst. Enforcement is coming

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