UPDATE: Rescue response for truck crash on westbound West Seattle Bridge

9:18 AM: Thanks for the tip. Just after a reader called to tell us about this, after passing the scene while going the other way, SFD is just arriving at what they describe as a “rolled-over box truck” on the westbound West Seattle Bridge. One person is reported trapped, another got out. Updates to come.

9:22 AM: The person is reported to be safely out. SFD is dismissing most of its responders. We haven’t seen a photo, and there’s still no working traffic camera in the area, but from what the reader told us, sounds like this is at or near the curve.

11:59 AM: Thanks to Mike for sending a photo:

Actually Mike October 26, 2025 (10:24 am)

You know this is a problem spot when everyone knows where you mean by “the curve”. If this were just about bad driving? These events would be distributed all over rather than piled up in one place. SDOT, what’s it going to take?

Gavin R October 26, 2025 (11:52 am)
Aaron October 26, 2025 (12:00 pm)

A blue ribbon commission, a two million dollar study, maybe some light graft for our CM, and about 5 years.
- 935 October 26, 2025 (1:22 pm)
  
  With the resultant recommendation??
  
  Further study necessary.
  
  ’10 years to end rollovers on the bridge’
  - 1994 October 26, 2025 (10:57 pm)
    
    And higher levy rates to move Seattle.….or how about some speed cushions at the curve? That should be a quick & inexpensive fix.
- Jethro Marx October 26, 2025 (9:32 pm)
  
  Graft for real? Do you have proof or are you just trying to be edgy?

Foop October 26, 2025 (11:17 am)

I agree, the bridge and its exit should have more traffic calming. People fly off of the bridge proper into that curve. People going easily 30+ over.guess what happens when you slam on your breaks in a curve in slick conditions?

WSzombie October 26, 2025 (10:07 pm)

This nearly happened to me going 30 mph in a brand new truck with brand new rain tires. Saying “everyone who this happens to is going 30 over” is flat out ignorant. You ever try going 30 over at 5 pm on a Friday? You’d be lucky to reach 25 there.
- Foop October 26, 2025 (11:49 pm)
  
  You *do* understand you’re supposed to slow for conditions right?
  - k October 27, 2025 (9:01 am)
    
    But how do you know that the conditions include a sudden change in road surface texture, right at a spot where there’s a bump as well, so it’s not visually obvious? Read the statute. No judge will ever cite you at fault for not adjusting to unforeseeable conditions.
    - Foop October 27, 2025 (3:39 pm)
      
      The speed limit assumes clear, dry, well lit conditions. If I can foresee any of those things are untrue, I should reduce my spee to below the speed limit.all of those conditions are quite easily observable.
    - K October 27, 2025 (5:02 pm)
      
      No, the speed limit does not assume those things at all, lol. Need to read up on your traffic statutes, friend.
    - Merkin October 27, 2025 (6:33 pm)
      
      I believe K should read up on the statutes before commenting on something so easily proven,
      lol.
      
      “RCW 46.61.400 Basic rule and maximum limits.
      (1) No personshall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than isreasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to theactual and potential hazards then existing. In every event speed shallbe so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with anyperson, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway incompliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to usedue care.(2) Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speedfor compliance with subsection (1)…”
    - K October 27, 2025 (8:30 pm)
      
      What part of that says speed limits are set assuming dry, clear weather and daylight? You guys can’t seriously be arguing that every driver in Washington is supposed to drive below the speed limit between dusk and dawn, and when it rains. Bookmarking your “wisdom” for future discussions about speed and safety, lol
    - Merkin October 27, 2025 (10:34 pm)
      
      K,
      No wisdom involved.
      The legalese may be bit challenging to the layperson, but that is exactly what the law means.
      Please read carefully?
      Maximum speed under ideal circumstances.
      It is called the SPEED LIMIT for that reason.
      Drivers are limited to the SPEED LIMIT, unless legally passing another vehicle.
      
      Enforcement is another issue.

Merkin October 26, 2025 (11:35 am)

Sensibly there are less accidents when the road is straight and dry.
Add rain, a curve and drivers not slowing to a speed appropriate for the conditions.
Rain, sleet or snow, tens of thousands of vehicles safely navigate the West Seattle Freeway, daily.
Armchair speculators can’t deny that too much speed for the conditions is not the primary factor.

It would be interesting to hear actual traffic engineers from SDOT weigh in.

My two cents October 26, 2025 (1:03 pm)

What is the center of gravity for a box truck laden and unladen? Maybe that had a role in things? Maybe the driver was distracted which might have had a role in things? Maybe the box truck driver had to swerve to avoid someone cutting in front of them suddenly? Of course I maybe just might be speaking from my armchair.

B October 26, 2025 (12:07 pm)

If SDOT’s own Crash Analysis map is anything to go by, they’re not even aware that this is a problem area. It only show one accident in this general area since 2022. A caveat though, the map doesn’t appear to track single vehicle crashes for some reason.

https://home.urbanlogiq.us/public/sdot-crash-analysis?c=47.570237308735784%2C-122.37279666584021&z=16.530567475836925

Melissa October 26, 2025 (2:11 pm)

Good lord. In this house, we joke about this part of the bridge because inevitably, people start to discuss how there is “something wrong with the road” every time it starts raining. There’s a reason that the speed limit is what it is there. And people routinely ignore the speed. It’s not the road; it’s the speeding. We are quite sorry for the person trapped in the car and we hope both people are okay.

K October 26, 2025 (3:17 pm)

So the past crashes where it has been verified that they were not speeding, that was what, fairies? Voodoo? Our collective imaginations?
- heartless October 26, 2025 (3:38 pm)
  
  Other questions aside, how could you possibly rule out driver error (speeding, sudden braking, distracted driving) in past cases?
  
  I mean, maybe you could verify they were not speeding–although, in fact, I’d also be curious how it was “verified” people were not going too fast for conditions, but I’m at a loss how anyone could verify it wasn’t driver error?
  
  I think it’s enough that a lot of people are crashing–even if it is entirely their fault I’d rather err on the side of people (and their passengers, and other drivers behind them) not getting hurt and make changes on this curve–but that is actually a separate issue from whether or not people were speeding/being dumb.
- melissa October 26, 2025 (3:44 pm)
  
  Please point me to those, please. I’m unaware of them.
- CW October 26, 2025 (4:17 pm)
  
  Old tires? Wrong tire pressure? Distracted driving? Underestimating one’s speed?
- Pete October 26, 2025 (5:22 pm)
  
  Verified going 30 or below and sliding off the road? I’ll take balony for 500. Come on. Yes, the road is a little uneven and the bend is tighter than it may seem. That’s why there’s a sign telling you to do 30. Grow up, honestly.
WSJB October 26, 2025 (3:57 pm)

This an AND not an OR. Speed is an issue AND there is a problem with the pavement. I, myself, have slipped at that point while driving UNDER the speed limit. Easily controlled at that speed, so didn’t crash, but to say that the pavement is not a factor is short-sighted.

Marcus October 26, 2025 (5:51 pm)

For the love of West Seattle, just diamond wheel this stretch of road like the WSDOT does. Problem solved!

WestCoastNomad October 26, 2025 (7:11 pm)

I have a new stable car with great tires that grip well. I’ve been testing that area of the bridge in both the left and right lanes, as I usually an in the left lane. It has felt slippery to me in either lane, but my brows rose at how my rear tires slipped while I was in the right lane. Yes, speed and wet weather are critical factors, however there truly is something up with that area of pavement. Drive safely, every one.

Lisa October 26, 2025 (10:09 pm)

While it may be true that many crashes occur on that curve due to high speed and/or distracted driving, I can say for a fact that my car has lost its rear a bit doing the speed limit in lightly wet conditions. Please don’t be so quick to assume that all those crashes are driver error.