UPDATE: Crash closes Beach Drive for hours, takes out power to dozens of homes

2:32 PM: SFD and SPD are on the scene of a crash that’s brought down a utility pole and wires in the 4800 block of Beach Drive [vicinity map] and report the entire street is blocked as a result. One person is reported injured. The Seattle City Light outage map says 58 customers are out of electricity, too.

3:26 PM: The photos are from WSB’s Jason Grotelueschen, who says the pickup truck in the photo below is the vehicle whose driver is reported to have hit the pole.

City Light is on scene and the street is still closed, though SFD has departed.

4:21 PM: The photo above is from Lura, showing City Light crews working at the scene. (Added below, a photo from Asher:)

6:34 PM: After four hours, Beach Drive is still closed, and if you’re going northbound from Lowman Beach you won’t know that until there’s finally a sign at Shore Place.

10:21 PM: Still closed after 8 hours. But a texter says “City Light team arrived in full force … Chainsawing the old pole out, getting ready to add the new pole and transformer.” They texted this photo too:

11 AM SUNDAY: Just went down to confirm, the work is done and road reopened. Meantime, the police data map confirms the driver was taken into custody for investigation of DUI.

6 Replies to "UPDATE: Crash closes Beach Drive for hours, takes out power to dozens of homes"

  • CW April 26, 2025 (2:35 pm)

    Just drove by a few minutes ago and saw the power pole coming down! Hope everyone’s ok.

  • GC April 26, 2025 (2:53 pm)

    Just drove by right before the closure. Only saw one small pickup truck with a couple of bikes in the back pointed the wrong way with a bashed in front end.I couldn’t see any passengers but SFD was on the way.

  • Happy Ending April 26, 2025 (3:21 pm)

    SPD cuffed the driver and took him to jail after he failed a field sobriety test

  • Good job April 26, 2025 (3:59 pm)

    Speeding, under the influence or medical episode. Washington needs to implement an demerit system to get these drivers off. 

  • I love thoughtfulness April 26, 2025 (5:10 pm)

    The driver is responsible, legally, absent some truly excusable, unforeseeable medical emergency. All the costs when added up should push the vast majority of people into deep debt, unless they have relatively high level insurance. Friendly reminder: check your insurance limits. One simple mistake like this could force bankruptcy on you.

  • Kt April 27, 2025 (4:21 am)

    Kudos to City Light for jumping on this.  We cannot survive without our public servants at all levels of government.

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