READER REPORTS: Runaway trailer; abandoned-likely-stolen car

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports:

RUNAWAY TRAILER: Mike is hoping you know whose trailer hit his car:

At 9:50 a.m. a truck with construction utility trailer driving southbound on 38th Ave SW between Juneau and Raymond hit a speed bump and the trailer disconnected from the truck which then crashed into a vehicle parked on the street. The damage is considerable. The contents of the trailer consisted of drywall and mint green painted wood which is clearly from a remodel project in the area. Are you or a neighbor doing construction? A policy report has been filed and the trailer impounded. There are no plates on the trailer and there is an investigation to locate the contractor.

Police report # is 24-302885.

ABANDONED-LIKELY-STOLEN CAR: Coleman spotted this Honda Accord:

Looks like someone dumped a car around the corner from my house on Holden and 32nd.

Plate is CKU9733, and there’s internal damage further suggesting it was stolen.

Also John October 25, 2024 (2:11 pm)

I’m looking at the wood in the trailer. That wood is from a fence that’s recently been demo’d.

K October 25, 2024 (3:02 pm)

Or a deck. Those spindles look more like railings to me.

moo October 25, 2024 (2:38 pm)

Good observation, so it could be from a fence contractor. However, there was also drywall underneath the pile of wood. Hoping someone recognizes the trailer so we can find the contractor.

Frog October 25, 2024 (2:45 pm)

“Contractor” might be a generous term here. Probably no license or insurance involved. Also not exactly a secure load. Because why bother tying down the load when the trailer itself is barely attached? I wonder where they were going, or how they expected to get there without leaving a trail of debris — the transfer station is quite a ways from 38th and Juneau. The ghosts of Laurel and Hardy are having a good laugh.

Patrick October 25, 2024 (2:46 pm)

I don’t think we need Sherlock Holmes here to find the owner of the contractors trailer. A general search in the area should be enough to find the house doing the remodel.

moo October 25, 2024 (3:11 pm)

They left a nice trailer in the middle of 38th Ave so they clearly don’t have insurance. There were no markings or registration on the trailer, but they did leave DNA on a coffee cup! The green color of the fence wood may be enough for someone to notice. Thanks for keeping the thread alive…

Winnie October 25, 2024 (4:26 pm)

I suggest walking north to the school, turn right and follow the road/alley to the dead end with the houses from 37th backing up to it- there’s a green house that same shade and weird fencing in their back yard area on the left

1994 October 25, 2024 (9:54 pm)

If there is any weird fencing left standing to compare… because the fencing might all be in the trailer now. But that sounds like a good tip!
Oerthehillz October 26, 2024 (7:41 am)

41st and Findley shows wood just like this in rear of bldg from Google photos from 2014.

moo October 26, 2024 (9:44 am)

Hi Winnie – I walk by that green house nearly every day with our pups, but did not see any evidence of construction activity or fence removal yesterday. Do you have any other detail? I’ve check with my neighbors for ring camera footage without success, but I’m persistent!

Oerthehillz October 26, 2024 (10:22 am)

Thinking main routes were avoided which is why my search began on the other side of Fauntleroy
Winnie October 26, 2024 (7:40 pm)

Compare what you see in real life to the same area on Google maps – the most recent photo wasn’t so recent – and you can see the fencing still there imo from the back. I could be wrong but maybe not- if the colors are the same still then I think it’s a strong case.

moo October 26, 2024 (9:45 am)

Thanks for the tips everyone. I’m checking with the neighbors for ring camera footage this morning to get a better ID on the truck.

Mike October 26, 2024 (2:19 pm)

I agree with Oerthehillz! Drove throughout Fairmont this morning looking for mint green houses, new fences or construction projects without success. It’s common to cross Fauntleroy at Findlay or Juneau and I suspect they chose to go south on 38th to avoid the hill climb to 35th. They easily caused 5K in damage and this will be our 2nd hit and run claim in 12 months if I don’t find the perpetrator. Here’s a close up pic of the fence – it’s not common.

bolo October 27, 2024 (11:24 am)

Minty green 1×1’s, looks like. Agree with the other commenter ARF– could be from anywhere, not necessarily local.

pagefive October 26, 2024 (4:17 pm)

So sorry you’re having to deal with another hit and run within a year, Mike. I think I heard this on Friday morning but unfortunately didn’t see anything. I sure hope a neighbor’s security camera footage will help you track down the driver’s identity!

aRF October 26, 2024 (4:54 pm)

Call me overly negative, but I’m guessing the trailer was hot and that this was a fly-by-night disposal job for cash. As noted, they didn’t bother to chain the trailer to their vehicle or secure the load. They weren’t going to the transfer station. Getting rid of the trailer and debris was the plan all along. Could have been driven here from anywhere in Seattle. That said, I wish you luck in your sleuthing and I feel horrible that people treat each other so poorly.

Oerthehillz October 26, 2024 (7:09 pm)

Top of the hill on 41st and Findlay has had construction and demo projects over the course of many years as seen on Google map images along with buried debri under overgrown bushes, but more than likely not their trailer and no recourse because unlicensed people were hired for the job. I would not advise approaching the residence either. You must have vandalism or under insured motorist coverage? Maybe not.

Winnie October 26, 2024 (7:52 pm)

I think anyone with a trailer attached as gingerly as this one that could have the chance at using a major road devoid of roundabouts and uncontrolled intersections like Fauntleroy probably would – compared to choosing to continue east on Findlay, passed Fauntleroy, and choosing instead to go south on 38th with tighter turns, spacing, and questionable road quality. But you never know.
- Oerthehillz October 27, 2024 (12:05 pm)
  
  Unless they were only traveling 15 mph then a back road would have drawn less attention. But who knows for sure.

moo October 27, 2024 (6:50 am)

I have underinsured coverage with $1,000 deductible. We have perfect driving records, no at-fault incidents but our rates keep climbing due to 3rd party negligence. Over the past decade: one stolen car (complete loss), 3 hit and runs (all while cars were parked), and an impaired driver took out the driver side mirror in a failed attempt to parallel park. You can imaging my frustration – there are few consequences for crime in Seattle.

Sorry, comment time is over.