UPDATE: 1 dead, 3 in hospital after car goes off ramp alongside West Seattle Bridge (updated Monday, Tuesday)

10:18 PM: Police and fire are arriving at the scene of what’s reported to be a car that went off the West Seattle Bridge down to East Marginal Way. Four people are reported hurt, three seriously. Updates to come.

(Added: Photo by Tim Durkan)

10:25 PM: They’ve gotten everyone out of the crashed car, which is reported to be a Chevy Cruze that landed upside down. They haven’t said where they believe the car went off the bridge, but this is the address given to the response.

10:30 PM: So far they’re investigating the theory that the car went off the bridge on the offramp to 99. (Of note for those who don’t read this in real time, it’s raining fairly heavily right now.)

10:41 PM: Medics told dispatch all four patients are on the way to Harborview. Two of the four have been described as possibly 17 and 20 years old; the driver has been described as female.

10:50 PM: Added a photo. The ramp to 99 will be closed for the investigation, police just told dispatch.

10:57 PM: Now they’re saying via radio that this is actually the Harbor Island offramp from 99.

5:20 AM: SPD says one crash victim, a teenage boy who was ejected, has died, and the other three, including the 16-year-old girl who was driving, are in the hospital with “serious or critical injuries.”

ADDED MONDAY: The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identifies the crash victim who died as 18-year-old Jayden T. Campbell.

ADDED TUESDAY: He and at least some of the victims were from the Olympic Peninsula, according to this Peninsula Daily News report (thanks to Barbara for sending the link).

NK October 18, 2025 (10:28 pm)

Thank you for the quick reporting, as always! We heard about 15 mins of constant sirens (not complaining!), and of course you were already reporting on it. Per SFDlive, it’s a huge response. Hope everyone is ok.

1994 October 18, 2025 (10:55 pm)

Horrific for the car occupants and the first responders. I hope the young people in the car will be OK.

Rhonda October 18, 2025 (11:04 pm)

My goodness! 🥺

OneTimeCharley October 18, 2025 (11:24 pm)

I went through this interchange the other day for the first time in many, many months and found the new lane markings to be quite confusing. After living in this area for over a quarter century, and using this interchange daily for most of that time, I found myself temporary confused as to which exit lane I was occupying as I approached the split doing the posted speed limit. The newly painted lines seem to be significantly different than the markings of the past. At the very last second I realized I was actually in the Harbour Island off ramp lane, and not the West Seattle freeway exit, as I had intended. I was able to correct my lane at the last second, but it was jarring enough that I thought about it afterwards and it was the first thing I thought of when I saw this story. Has anyone else found the new lane markings at the West Seattle west bound ramp from 99 south to be confusing or troublesome recently? If so, this could be a sign of too abrubt of a lane shift right at the critical decisive moment when (where) drivers are having to make a split second decision.

B October 19, 2025 (1:52 am)

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It is problematic, I hear you. And when it gets wet at night and rainy wet reflections everywhere, it’s not possible to see lines. You pretty much need to know the area. That said, anyone relying on navigation tools, there will still be confusion. Best bet is to slow down and take the decision you make. Don’t stop and try to correct and hold up traffic bc you did it wrong. Just go a little ways down and correct when you’re clear
My two cents October 19, 2025 (2:52 am)

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Regarding the lane markings? No. Have been here for same amount of time as you.
Laura October 19, 2025 (5:58 am)

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I dread accidently turning onto Harbor Island instead of the West Seattle exit. It’s happened to me two or three times over the past 10 years, and it’s a mess. Very hard to turn around and get back onto the bridge.
- Daniel October 19, 2025 (9:26 am)
  
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  If I accidentally do the harbor island turn, I give up and don’t bother trying to backtrack to the high bridge. Delridge or Harbor Ave are straightforward, Admiral does mean looping up near Luna park cafe and making that sketchy left onto admiral, and Fauntleroy means a longer detour up Avalon. Burns a little time, but way faster and less confusing than going all the way back to the bridge in that crazy nest of streets east of harbor island. If I was going to backtrack to the high bridge, I’d need to stop and look at the map because even if I turn on the turn by turn navigation on the phone, it gets even more confusing than just dead reckoning.
- BlairJ October 19, 2025 (9:42 am)
  
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  If you do wind up on the Harbor Island exit, just keep going over the low level bridge and you can continue on to West Marginal, Delridge, Harbor Avenue, Admiral or Avalon and get to your destination a few minutes later than planned.
NK October 19, 2025 (7:49 am)

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I don’t think it’s the lane markings – those have not changed but could definitely use improvement. But the lighting on 99 and on the bridge recently has been abysmal. Either every other light is off or they’re all off. My husband and I always remark about how the lights appear to be off late at night and especially late on dreary days.
Savannah October 19, 2025 (8:16 am)

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OneTime Charley — I completely agree with you and this has been my commute (for years)! The changes are 100% confusing and I’ve almost messed up a few times (when it’s dark ironically) and I obviously know the route. My deepest condolences to the family of the one who was lost, and my thoughts are with those who survived — I hope they find strength and healing in the days ahead. As a parent of 2 college-aged kids, this tragedy resonates deeply with me.
Eric October 19, 2025 (12:02 pm)

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Just a few weeks ago I saw someone coming up the rap and almost get in a head on collision. What can be done to fix this?

Katherine October 18, 2025 (11:35 pm)

And there was another accident about the same time at Fauntleroy & 35th. Looked like two car collision with what appeared to be a narrow escape of third car that was facing the wrong direction in the left turn lanes to go from bridge to down 35th. Lots of glass in the street. It’s a mess out there! Do hope everyone is ultimately okay despite the inevitable trauma. Ugh

Silver October 18, 2025 (11:39 pm)

You guys are so good! I just finished listening to the radio traffic and you guys had already reported the whole thing! Well done!

JM October 19, 2025 (12:17 am)

We drove above during the massive emergency response. It was really rainy, dark, and difficult to see, so I can imagine a driver (especially if less experienced or not from the area) finding it difficult to navigate. I hope they all end up being OK.

ltmmgm October 19, 2025 (7:02 am)

Oh dear these are just children, their whole lives still if front of them. I hope the surviving ones heal quickly and for them and the family of the one lost, my condolences.

In regard to the Harbor Island exit the city/SDOT should paint the lane with the words “Harbor Island ONLY” like they do with some bus lanes since it sounds like there’s confusion with the lanes.

Seattlite October 19, 2025 (8:27 am)

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LTMMGM…Marking “Harbor Island ONLY” is too much common sense for WSDOT to comprehend. Prayers for all of those involved in this horrific accident.
I love thoughtfulness October 19, 2025 (8:34 am)

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That’s actually a great idea!
Tp October 19, 2025 (9:40 am)

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It is very clearly marked/signed and easy to navigate if you drive the speed limit. Tons of time to see what is ahead and make a choice, even in heavy rain conditions.

Ve October 19, 2025 (8:30 am)

This is tragic, loss of life, very sad and my heart goes out to their friends and family

Kristina October 19, 2025 (8:48 am)

My condolences to the victim and their family, and to everyone impacted by this. The grief is great, and I am sorry for your loss.

ET October 19, 2025 (9:02 am)

Also the speed limit is 40/45 mph. but people ignore that, they go from 50mph-70mph.. sometimes even faster 😖

Kristine October 19, 2025 (11:15 am)

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The speeding on the bridge is AWFUL! I’d like speeding camera like school cameras at all times! The number of times I nearly get hit on the bridge is weekly if not daily. Super dangerous :(

wsgal October 19, 2025 (9:09 am)

How horrible, thinking of those and the families involved.

Chritopher B. October 19, 2025 (9:33 am)

Not blaming the victims, but this is more about painted lanes. By design, it is not easy for a small sedan to go over the concrete barriers. Excessive speed must have been a factor here.

Neighbor October 19, 2025 (1:08 pm)

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You say you aren’t blaming the victims then do exactly that. You have no evidence speed was a factor. Did you see it happen? Were there skid marks? Did the car have GPS, what speed did it show? Any long time reader of the WSB knows that flipped car accidents can happen at very low speeds. When wheels catch vertical surfaces like parked cars and barriers surprising things happen. I have had passengers panic and reach for controls. We just don’t know.

Rachel October 19, 2025 (9:43 am)

Heartbreaking…. My thoughts are with the family that lost their teen and with the survivors

Avalonian October 19, 2025 (9:50 am)

My heart breaks for these teens and their friends and families. There is something even more tragic about teen driver accidents to me. (probably because of the memories it brings back of when it happened to classmates when I was that age).

Woo Johnnie October 19, 2025 (10:33 am)

Again put in a Giant Sign with Speed limit and Clear Turn Arrow. Maybe a Sign that Says SLOW!This has been been ongoing especially with Motorcycles. Come on Sdot or Who ever takes care of the bridge do you job !! Your lack of markings is killing people.

Carole October 19, 2025 (1:27 pm)

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Speeding and tailgating are killing people. The markings are sufficient.
Nolan October 19, 2025 (2:43 pm)

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Designing roads for 60+ MPH cruising and putting up signage to attempt to driver speeds is what’s killing people. We can either have a highway, or we can have a road that discourages driving at highway speeds, but this is what happens when we try to have both.
- bolo October 19, 2025 (3:15 pm)
  
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  The car jumped the wall on that transition ramp that was not designed for 60+ MPH. It does have its problems, especially during first rains that bring up the oil to the surface.
  - Nolan October 19, 2025 (10:22 pm)
    
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    How about the road leading up to that ramp?
- P October 19, 2025 (11:43 pm)
  
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  Couldn’t agree more
Nolan October 19, 2025 (2:44 pm)

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(edit widget isn’t showing up – that should be “to attempt to lower driver speeds”)

Matteo October 19, 2025 (11:11 am)

Any accidental loss of life is tragic, kids more so. As a parent of high schoolers in West Seattle, I’m holding my breath in hopes this isn’t someone known to my kids. Every time my teenagers go out with friends at night, my heart beats just a tad faster.

Anthony October 19, 2025 (11:21 am)

Let’s focus on what really matters. 3 young lives changed forever, and 1 lost forever to their family and friends.

22blades October 19, 2025 (11:24 am)

I’m wondering if inoperative street lighting contributed. I narrowly avoided a 3 car accident in rain on the N bound West Seattle I5 Exit to the bridge. A giant pool of water was obscured in the turn because of the lights out. Had to take my car to the shop to reattach some the underbody panels.I don’t know if it’s related but streetlight wire theft is a safety problem. Cars were disabled right as you exit the turn. Bad place & dark.

NeighborLady October 19, 2025 (11:27 am)

Why are the lights always out at night on this part of the bridge? It’s the same deal on the Aurora bridge- I often drive that route late-night and it seems like a terrible idea not to have lighting on bridges.

Rats October 19, 2025 (10:13 pm)

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Copper thieves?

SJ October 19, 2025 (11:39 am)

I”m so sorry to hear this happened – I have kids this age and can’t even imagine. Sending my heartfelt condolences to family and friends. Please let us know how the community can support you.

Rara October 19, 2025 (11:46 am)

My heart is heavy for these young people and their parents. Sending prayers for all. 🙏

JJ October 19, 2025 (11:59 am)

My condolences to everyone involved and their loved ones. A tragedy any way you look at it.

Kayo October 19, 2025 (12:11 pm)

I drove by this accident from above late last night as I was exiting from 99 to West Seattle. It was very dark and pouring rain. Also, I hydroplaned down below these ramps on 99 (which is always an issue with heavy rain so I know to slow down there). I don’t know what happened to cause this awful accident but I know hearts are broken to a level I cannot imagine. I have teens and this is every parent’s worst nightmare. I hope the survivors recover. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the boy who died. 💔

Emily October 19, 2025 (12:53 pm)

It’s about time the city repairs that spot where the water pools in heavy rain just before that exit- it’s been YEARS and I can’t be the only one that hydroplanes there at reasonable speeds.So sad.

Neighbor October 19, 2025 (1:12 pm)

What a tragedy. This event will stick with these kids and their families forever.

That is a confusing area, as is typical of Seattle. It seems like the markings could be better but really there shouldn’t be two exits so close together. Can they add a divider earlier to force the choice back on the flat three lane section? There’s a huge amount of space there for traffic to sort itself. That divider could be a curb or those breakaway plastic poles that won’t kill people who panic.

Molly October 19, 2025 (1:23 pm)

Based on the time I sent my friends a message about how the rain was SO LOUD and heavy- I am wondering if they were going 60-65 mph on 99 and didn’t slow down enough for the change to the WSB. That heavy rain, plus the slick spot on that turn that has caused a few accidents in years past, could have made their speed cause them to hit the barrier and flip. I hope those kids recover and get lots of counseling, and I cannot imagine the pain and feelings of loss for those kids and the parents of the kid who died.

WSHS Parent October 19, 2025 (1:28 pm)

Worried and anxious to hear whether these were WSHS students. I am so sorry for the parents’ profound loss, and for the worry and sadness that these kids and their families are facing in the wake of this accident.

Nw mama October 19, 2025 (9:37 pm)

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Me too. Growing kids here for the last 20 years- it’s likely we know these families and victims
- An October 20, 2025 (10:25 am)
  
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  They are not
Sealth Parent October 20, 2025 (10:03 am)

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Not to sound crass but there’s another highschool in West Seattle, Chief Sealth. Perhaps we prepare ourselves to support our kids after a tragedy that will undoubtably hurt their tight community, whether it be WSHS or Sealth.
- WSB October 20, 2025 (11:34 am)
  
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  And a third high school with hundreds of students, Summit Atlas. Anyway, we haven’t yet found official verification of where the victim lived; his name might be on the Medical Examiner’s daily list at 3 pm, but that wouldn’t include a hometown.
  - Sealth Parent October 20, 2025 (12:29 pm)
    
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    Thank you pointing that out. Our kids all grew up with Summit students too.

Rhonda October 19, 2025 (1:32 pm)

There are state driving restrictions for 16 year-olds having non-family passengers under age 20. But they’re only for the first 6 months after obtaining a driver’s license and only between 1am and 5am. Seems like the hours window needs to be widened to simply “after dark”.

Neighbor October 21, 2025 (4:11 am)

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This is premature Rhonda. We do not yet know the cause of the crash. Restricting the liberties of our youth to satisfy your authoritarian impulses is no way to improve safety.

BDR October 19, 2025 (1:59 pm)

So very sad no matter the cause. The families will be forever impacted by the crash. Sympathy and healing to all and their families.

Wildmarva October 19, 2025 (2:01 pm)

Extremely sorry for the families of those 4 kids. For those 3 who so far have survived, this will stay with them forever.

Jen October 19, 2025 (2:22 pm)

There will always be new drivers, out of town drivers, unfamiliar with the area. This is a confusing area of town for many. I agree SDOT should invest in markings or signage that give clear warning in advance. Assume people have not driven a route before. Right now the big haunted house near here is really busy, so I’m sure a lot of people who arent familiar with the area are coming in. It’s a heartbreaking tragedy, blaming the victims isn’t necessary. We were new drivers once. (And young, out with friends) Please be compassionate.

Lnn October 19, 2025 (2:31 pm)

I just don’t understand why the lanes are painted to glow or have lights. I’ve seen them in other states. We of all places should have them. I can barely see the lanes when it’s dark and rainy.

Danny October 19, 2025 (3:39 pm)

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Yeah it’s always wild we don’t have reflectors. Guess our tax dollars are being used for other things

Eddie October 19, 2025 (3:07 pm)

Terrible accident. 16YO Girl Driving. I thought there were restrictions for new (i.e. 16YO) drivers where they weren’t allowed passengers?

WSB October 19, 2025 (8:02 pm)

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Here are the details of the restrictions that Rhonda mentioned upthread.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.20.075

Kiki October 19, 2025 (3:27 pm)

Do we know what school the kids go to?

Beth G October 19, 2025 (4:02 pm)

We were driving on the West Seattle Bridge shortly after and weather was pretty bad. There were places we were trying to avoid hydroplaning. Also very dark. These poor kids. Condolences to families and friends and hoping for a swift recovery for the hospitalized.

Amber October 19, 2025 (5:58 pm)

Heartbreaking! My heart goes out to the family and survivors.

Brian October 19, 2025 (6:08 pm)

I drove home from The Showbox last night and when I exited I-5 and got in the Spokane St Viaduct I was struck with how poorly lit it was and how the lane markings were barely visible. It was also raining HARD last night which made it all that much more difficult to travel.

bolo October 19, 2025 (7:33 pm)

I just rode past there this evening– the entire string of streetlights along that ramp is dead except for just two. So that may have been a factor in this deadly crash. Copper thieves strike again!

B October 19, 2025 (9:02 pm)

Poor kids. My heart weeps for them and their families.

K October 20, 2025 (7:26 am)

From the comments on the KIRO story on Facebook, they did not appear to be local West Seattle kids.

SLJ October 20, 2025 (7:41 am)

This is a terrible tragedy. For anyone who knows the families involved, there are free resources for childhood grief at Safe Crossings: safecrossingsfoundation.org.

Julie October 20, 2025 (7:43 am)

Who do we contact to get those lights replaced? Is this just the Find it-Fix it site, or is there some place to contact where it will be considered urgent?

bill October 20, 2025 (9:41 am)

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Copper theft has been going on for years. The city is well aware. You can observe thieves stripping insulation from their hauls before taking to West Seattle Recycling beside the west end of the low bridge in the cul de sac on SW Marginal Pl.https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/damage-to-west-seattle-bridge-lights-shows-wire-thieves-had-a-field-days/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/wa-utilities-and-telecoms-say-copper-wire-theft-is-at-crisis-level/

B October 20, 2025 (9:03 am)

I beleive they were from Port Angeles

Admiral2009 October 20, 2025 (9:36 am)

Regarding the street lighting being out, is this related to the recent copper theft? If yes, the perp needs to be charged with homicide.

bolo October 20, 2025 (12:00 pm)

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That would be hard to prove. In that part of town, there is not a section of wiring/streetlights/access panels, etc. that has not been tampered with. Last night I saw one large electrical control box with the door hanging open, two new metal streetlights snapped at the base and laying nearby, several strings of dead streetlights, and a growing mound of wire insulation shavings at the edge of the Alki Trail bikepath. Plus urban campers enjoying a large bonfire under the ramp shown in the photo at the top of this article (a little further west, where it reaches ground level.)

Jay October 20, 2025 (10:28 am)

How many people have to die before Washington uses reflective paint like the rest of the country and the world? It’s not even expensive, just little glass beads that get mixed in with the paint.

Kathy October 20, 2025 (11:08 am)

Just wondering how many people have died or been seriously injured on that bridge? How much damage to cars? At the very least, there should be some speed enforcement on it. I favor a speed camera to reeducate drivers who seem to think it is their right to break the speed limit laws. How many commenters on this article have sped past and threatened drivers who are following the speed limit?