UPDATE: Driver extricated after car-on-side crash on Admiral Way Bridge

(Reader photo sent by Andy)

7:31 AM: SFD has a rescue-extrication response arriving at the Admiral Way Bridge, where a crash involves a car on its side.

7:36 AM: Admiral is fully blocked at the bridge – which has been down to two lanes, one each way, for several weeks because of the earthquake-strengthening project. SFD reports one person trapped in the car that went sideways in the eastbound lane.

(Added – texted photo from another reader)

7:39 AM: Firefighters just told dispatch they’ve gotten that person out.

(Added: Vehicle after firefighters cut off top to extricate driver – photo by Christopher Boffoli)

7:58 AM: The Admiral Way Bridge remains blocked both ways and that’s leading to traffic trouble on other access routes to the bridge, according to police radio, until the scene is cleared. Meantime, we’re checking on the crash victim’s condition.

8:06 AM: The driver is being taken to the hospital. According to what medics told the emergency-room doctors on emergency radio, this was NOT a high-speed crash – she was going “25 to 30 mph” when she hit something on the bridge. Meantime, SFD has cleared the scene; SPD is awaiting the tow truck but just let a bus go through.

8:14 AM: Police are now allowing westbound traffic to go through.

8:29 AM: The tow truck has arrived.

8:59 AM: Admiral is now open both ways. (Thanks again to Andy for progress reports.)

9:45 AM: SFD tells us that the driver, an 84-year-old woman, was in stable condition when taken to the hospital.

Chris October 1, 2024 (7:36 am)

Tracy: You are so awesome. We heard all the sirens and wondered. Thank you.

WSB October 1, 2024 (7:42 am)

Huge thanks to the unidentified texter who sent photos barely two minutes after the dispatch! (Update – Andy is the texter.)

neighbor October 1, 2024 (7:48 am)

The flipped car on eastbound Admiral was what, two weeks ago? Commuters need to relax, after the last light at Starbucks it’s not a road rally to the bridge.

WSB October 1, 2024 (8:03 am)

This is NOT believed to be speeding, according to what medics are saying in radio communications with the emergency room. 25 to 30 mph.
- Pete October 1, 2024 (12:13 pm)
  
  It’s a little concerning that they crashed driving so slowly to be honest
  - Orb October 1, 2024 (10:10 pm)
    
    They’re 84. She should be forced to take another behind the wheel test to continue driving at that age.

Sean October 1, 2024 (8:09 am)

The sun rise got em.

Jim October 1, 2024 (10:27 pm)

Sean, It might have been a bit late for sun “pressure”. It looks like the azimuth of the sun at that time was about 108 degrees (and 12 degrees elevation). But that is just speculation on my part.

Bradley October 1, 2024 (8:14 am)

How does someone manage to do that when you’re driving through a construction site at slow speed? So many awful drivers on the road.

junctioneer October 1, 2024 (10:21 am)

Maybe pause for a moment and reflect that this person’s neighbors, and maybe the person themselves, will read this, was not speeding, and that accidents happen. I hope that should you ever make a mistake folks will be kind to you.
- bill October 1, 2024 (12:13 pm)
  
  Junctioneer: “Accidents happen.” Semantics matter. A tree limb falling on your car or a deer crashing into your windshield are unforeseeable circumstances that are legitimately accidental. Driving into a barrier at low speed indicates lack of attention. That makes this a “deliberate.” The driver chose to do something else other than pay attention to driving. Your primary responsibility as a driver is not to run into things.
  - junctioneer October 1, 2024 (3:52 pm)
    
    Bill. Look at what I’m replying to. Somebody hit a barrier. Of course they are responsible. Does that make them an awful driver? I don’t care how perfect of a person you are, inevitably, you will make a mistake. It happens. It’s your fault. And it happens. It would seem to be that the likely scenario or hitting the barrier next to a construction site at the speed limit is low on the list of things we should be angry about for drivers. We’ve already established this isn’t hard to do. I would venture to guess you’ve made similar mistakes, and luck was not on her side that her car flipped instead of this just being a curb.
    
    Deliberate means intentional. Did you really mean deliberate? Semantics matter.
  - Flawless driver October 1, 2024 (8:58 pm)
    
    Congratulations on being a flawless driver and overall flawless human <\sarcasm>
Neighbor October 1, 2024 (10:48 am)

Very easily. Tires ride up concrete barriers or other cars rapidly. It’s very easy to flip a car.
- Pete October 1, 2024 (1:27 pm)
  
  I don’t think whatever they blundered into was moving…

Hiawatha neighbor October 1, 2024 (8:18 am)

I live nearby and asked one of the four SPD officers just standing around to help with directing traffic on the chaotic side streets. They told me they couldn’t help and folks just needed to wait. That was 30 mins ago.

Julian October 1, 2024 (8:29 am)

A fire truck passed me on my run back from the gym. Must have been headed to this. I wonder if other places have as many flipped cars as West Seattle does. I’m trying not to succumb to confirmation bias, but I’ve lived around a few parts of the country and never heard of this happening so frequently.

Eddie October 1, 2024 (8:49 am)

Few other places report as thoroughly on hyper local happenings. Just because you read about things “often” in the ‘Blog, doesn’t make them any more prevalent here.
- Julian October 1, 2024 (9:05 am)
  
  Yes, I’m aware. What you just explained is called confirmation bias…
  - Ferns October 5, 2024 (9:58 am)
    
    Yes, the fact so many cars flip is incredible and I wasn’t aware if it anywhere else I’ve lived either… but I think the bigger point was that we have a hyper local news source that reports on a small geographic area quickly. Picks out the most impactful and interesting activities. Most of the communities and cities do not have this. You have to be combing the police blotter or scanner 24h a day to pick up the interesting stuff and figure out WHY traffic was blocked for 40 minutes yourself. Imagine what the Capitol Hill blog would look like! Or belltown. Probably same stuff – maybe more biking accidents. I do sometimes wonder about the prevalence of flipped cars and would enjoy a studio it. Is it tight streets lined in cars? Construction barriers? Speeding?

Steph October 1, 2024 (8:48 am)

I’m beginning to think car manufacturers are making cars so they flip. I’ve never seen so many flipped vehicles in my entire 77+ years!! It’s like water heaters that used to last a lifetime but now new ones come with a ten year pseudo warranty.Planned obsolescence with a sinister twist.

dutchOpa October 1, 2024 (10:08 am)

It’s well known that SUVs flip easier than sedans, hence why they’re being taxed out of existence in the Netherlands https://youtu.be/jN7mSXMruEo?si=o3xgD3AK4PuysLOs
Byron October 1, 2024 (10:20 am)

This is psychotic. What a ridiculous leap of pseudo-logic.

B October 1, 2024 (8:57 am)

Just came through up the hill heading into west Seattle and holy moly the traffic it caused on side streets was insane since everyone’s heading to school on one way roads.. definitely go around the long way to get to the bridge. be safe and kind everyone!

Kim October 1, 2024 (8:58 am)

Hoping the driver is going to be okay.

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy October 1, 2024 (9:00 am)

I wonder how insurance works in these situations. I mean when the fire department cuts the top of your vehicle off.

Christopher B. October 1, 2024 (9:08 am)

@ WEST SEATTLE MAD SICI GUY Yeah, that car’s totaled (from the flip). It’s a shame too as – based on how clean and rust-free it looked on the underside – it was in great shape and appeared fairly new.

Local lady October 1, 2024 (9:23 am)

I was stuck early morning here with lots of cars and some simi trucks on small residential streets, at the incident I didn’t notice any speeding could have just been a really sharp turn after hitting something.

Rob October 1, 2024 (10:13 am)

My guess is she clipped the concrete wall and it flipped her. Hope she is OK.

David von Wolffersdorff October 1, 2024 (3:46 pm)

My thought exactly re cement wall.

AMP October 1, 2024 (11:33 am)

I live within a block of this accident. More careless and aggressive driving has resulted from these lane reductions. I am afraid this will not be the last accident in the duration of this project. Please be alert and patient if you’re driving through this area.

Al King October 1, 2024 (12:39 pm)

AMP. Driver was an 84yo woman. Fits your idea of a careless and aggressive driver?
- Tony October 1, 2024 (2:40 pm)
  
  Maybe not directly careless or reckless, but perhaps one or both of those things by way of mental and physical decline through aging. Driving retesting should be mandatory.
Bbron October 1, 2024 (1:03 pm)

it’s wild that folks that are so easy to anger or so quickly fall into complacency are allowed to be responsible for piloting multi-ton kinetic weapons…

ST October 1, 2024 (11:45 am)

When I was driving my kid to school and saw a Metro bus driving up 38th Ave SW, I knew something had to be up. Hopefully, the driver is okay.

Laura October 1, 2024 (2:35 pm)

Wow. Come on, West Seattle. 26 comments so far and only TWO mention hoping the driver is ok?!? (Thank you Kim and Rob) Car accidents are traumatizing and physically painful and this lady deserves some kind words from her community. I hope she heals quickly and doesn’t read the blog.

junctioneer October 1, 2024 (3:54 pm)

It’s appalling (although of course I didn’t mention that either). I think we forget this is a neighborhood, where yes we are entitled to our opinions but then respect goes out the window. She is our neighbor! But what else do we expect from the comments section?
- J October 1, 2024 (8:08 pm)
  
  Thank you for this comment. I’m glad there are some good people left in this world.