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Another crash near southwest end of West Seattle Bridge

December 14, 2025 12:43 pm
|      56 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

We heard a bit of the radio exchanges about this around 10 this morning but not enough description to write about – until this photo came in just now, literally completing the picture. (Thanks to CJ for sending it.) Another crash in the area where some think the pavement is the problem, and others blame speed. The driver of this 4Runner wound up in the grass by the “Welcome to West Seattle” sign; no other vehicle was reported involved, and the initial SFD dispatch to check out the driver was quickly downsized.

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56 Replies to "Another crash near southwest end of West Seattle Bridge"

  • Sherlock December 14, 2025 (1:22 pm)
    Reply

    We call that the “car sized spot in the bushes” hahaha 😆 

  • Curious George December 14, 2025 (1:23 pm)
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    Is anyone keeping a tally on Darwin’s Curve❓Not even raining🤷‍♂️

    • Derp December 14, 2025 (4:27 pm)
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      Anyone keeping track of the wrecks, that have no other reason,  but speed to be the cause. No way they could get where that car is without going over the speed limit and or hitting the curb. CURBY!!!!!!

    • Neighbor December 14, 2025 (4:40 pm)
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      Hahaha, Darwin’s Curve 😆 

  • CarDriver December 14, 2025 (1:48 pm)
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    Regardless of vehicle speed, issue is that there really is a genuine problem with the pavement. As taxpayers we should demand that SDOT not pretend there isn’t a pavement issue on that curve.

    • Mr j December 14, 2025 (3:00 pm)
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      Speed + bald tires. The myth of the pavement being too smooth is a bit hilarious. But hey, lobby SDOT until they replace the road. 

      • WSzombie December 14, 2025 (10:18 pm)
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        You need to stop spreading information. You don’t have details from every possibility, just your own experience. I’ve nearly lost it on that corner several times. Brand new vehicle, brand new Cooper Discoverer AT3-4S tires, and driving BELOW the speed limit. It’s a combination of the curve, pavement transitions, 3 rollers (undulations), rear wheel drive, and frequently wet roads.Say what you want, but until you’ve driven different vehicles in different situations, you’re speaking out of turn. 

        • Mr J December 14, 2025 (11:11 pm)
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          4 vehicles, 15 years and never a problem. Perhaps you’re speaking out of turn?

        • Wes C. Addle December 15, 2025 (11:34 am)
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          I agree, it’s the pavement transitions.  I back up your claim w/ my daily experience.

      • tarmac nerd December 15, 2025 (8:17 am)
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        The problem is that the grooved section of pavement ends mid corner. It gives the driver extra grip and confidence going into the turn, and then they hit the slick pavement already at speed. They need to extend the grooved pavement through the end of the curve so that drivers can anticipate consistent grip through the turn. Here’s a fun article on how “safety grooving” was developed by NASA. The space shuttles relied on it to keep straight during landing https://aviationoiloutlet.com/blog/safety-grooving/?srsltid=AfmBOoq8d4YKAHixy1MGNg8yIe_EubF4TCk_CYUUd5yetjJiOhxQgpuV

  • Junction Lady December 14, 2025 (2:44 pm)
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    Lived here most of my life and never seen such frequency of peculiar accidents at this location since the bridge reopened after prolonged closure during COVID.  Pavement seems to be the common factor that sends vehicles spinning, flipping and ending up in the landscaping!  I saw one last week that did not get documented on the BLOG.  

    • RJ December 14, 2025 (4:41 pm)
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      Every single car drives on the pavement so obviously it’s a common factor. 

  • Lauren December 14, 2025 (2:50 pm)
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    Drove past this one. There’s no way that car could have gotten where it was without speed playing a BIG factor. 

    • K December 14, 2025 (3:35 pm)
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      Always exciting to see how many physicists we have here in West Seattle!  Definitely share your calculations showing that the momentum from a vehicle of that weight could never end up in that position from going the speed limit.  This discussion is getting downright tedious without the math.

      • Brian December 14, 2025 (3:54 pm)
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        You do it. 

        • k December 14, 2025 (5:43 pm)
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          I am not an authority in this area, and am not claiming certainty as to the cause or contributing factors involved in this collision.  Hence why I asked the person speaking with authority to break it down for the kids in the back who are still arguing.

      • Boost December 14, 2025 (5:17 pm)
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        Speed limit is the max legal speed. In many situations, incl. going round a corner, when the speed limit is not safe. How do we know speed was a factor in this crash? How often do you see a stationary car spin out? How often do you see a car spin out when traveling at 20 miles an hour?

      • Julian December 14, 2025 (8:50 pm)
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        Hundreds if not thousands of cars pass through everyday without incident. If it’s not speed, it’s poor tire maintenance. Either way it’s driver error. Doesn’t take a physics lesson (although this wouldn’t go beyond the realm of classical physics taught in high school), just common sense.

        • WSzombie December 14, 2025 (10:21 pm)
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          Why are speed and tires the only option for causing these accidents? Seriously, why do you dismiss every other possibility? Or do you just not understand the multitude of factors that can contribute to this phenomenon? 

          • Julian December 15, 2025 (10:16 am)

            I don’t understand the “multitude of factors.” You should be able to name five if there are really so many.

    • WSzombie December 14, 2025 (10:29 pm)
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      It’s a four wheel drive SUV. It easily could have gotten there going 3-5 mph. It’s literally what they’re built for. But yes, speed is obviously a major factor. By going 0 mph, it is the only way, by definition of the word, impossible for it to have gotten there. 

  • Jeff December 14, 2025 (3:34 pm)
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    Do not blame anyone but drivers. If you’re driving the speed limit, it’s impossible to spin out of control. Period. Big brother government is not the answer. Just drive normal and be accountable. 

    • bill December 14, 2025 (8:01 pm)
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      Well actually, normal driving is the problem. Keeping to the speed limit is not normal these days.

    • B December 14, 2025 (9:23 pm)
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      Love it!  I too find that life is much simpler when everything is either black or white.

  • Derp December 14, 2025 (3:47 pm)
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    Hey,  you can’t park there. 

  • WS Troll December 14, 2025 (3:55 pm)
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    Drive the speed limit

  • Curious December 14, 2025 (4:15 pm)
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    Serious question, WSB, do you have a count on how many reported accidents have been posted about on the blog at this location since the bridge reopened? I am guessing that is the closest tally we can get.

  • Ve December 14, 2025 (4:29 pm)
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    Sorry but when I drive there which is pretty frequent, 90 percent are going faster than speed limit, sorry but true

    • k December 14, 2025 (5:54 pm)
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      That’s been my observation as well, but I’ve also observed that same behavior at 100 different corners, streets, and hills throughout the city and NONE have the rate of crashes that this one does.

      So we either have to believe that numerous people over the course of a few years now have collectively decided to behave differently in this spot than they do at other curves throughout the city (where they are also speeding) while also ignoring the first hand and witness accounts from people who have lost traction with vehicles going under the speed limit.  Or consider that there are multiple factors at play that make this spot different. 

      If it was speed alone, it would seem that with 90% of the people speeding around that curve, we would consistently see collisions at all times of the year, in all weather.  We don’t.  They come in clusters, when it rains.  

      If it was the road alone, it would seem that with 90% of the people speeding around that curve, we would see Smart Cars, Cybertrucks, and motorcycles (who notoriously have more issues with slick road conditions than cars and trucks) wiping out on that same spot, but we don’t.

      I’m not an expert in road design, physics, or automobiles like all of you other commenters out there, but I do have common sense.  And common sense says that it is most likely a combination of factors, at least one of which is specific to that location.  

      • bolo December 14, 2025 (7:28 pm)
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        In fact, by far the grand majority of the vehicles spun out here are SUVs, trucks, vans and jeeps. By far. All proven high center of gravity tippy inherently unstable vehicles. Traction control can correct only so far.

      • WS98 December 14, 2025 (8:04 pm)
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        Soooo speed naysayers, what day you about no accidents (or maybe a couple at best) happening during the many months when the pavement is dry…

  • Anything new to add? December 14, 2025 (4:29 pm)
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    I am beginning to think that the WSB could just repost comments from a previous report. That would save the commenters  from having to repeat themselves.

  • ITotallyAgreeWithYou December 14, 2025 (4:35 pm)
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    Jeff, “Impossible”? that’s just plain untrue. I speak from experience. And no, there was nothing wrong with my car, or my attention. All you experts who know what’s impossible or exactly the condition of the vehicles and the circumstances at play are wasting your gifts here. Go solve the world’s problems where we really need you! 🤣

  • Niki Lauda December 14, 2025 (4:39 pm)
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    Again with speeding being the cause of all accidents anywhere at all times… For 20 years I’ve been driving 60+ mph on a regular basis over the bridge all the way to the Avalon intersection and not once have I had any traction issues on any part of that route. Stop blaming speeding for accidents caused by bad Seattle drivers who are unable to drive even below the speed limit on a sunny day with no one around, let alone in Seattle weather and traffic. 

    • Neighbor December 14, 2025 (5:11 pm)
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      This section of road is after the Avalon exit so your stated experience is irrelevant.

    • 22blades December 14, 2025 (5:46 pm)
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      Niki Lauda. Name checks. Hope you didn’t get burned like your namesake.You sure you’re not Nikita Mazpin?Seriously, thousands make it at the prevailing speed. A precious few exceed the physics of tire adhesion. Excessive speed with erratic steering inputs.

  • Kat December 14, 2025 (5:12 pm)
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    This may have been a slide down the hill from above. There is a nice mark all the way down the hill directly in line with the vehicle and its rear end is on the hill side of a light pole.   

  • Oerthehillz December 14, 2025 (5:18 pm)
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    Here’s a real curve ball for you. Someone on reddit recently stated they drove through that spot and upon pulling over at the triangle area, they noticed their car was spattered with some kind of oil, not car oil, all around the bottom areas and wheels. Makes one suspicious of intentional foul play. 

  • it's speeding or foolishness December 14, 2025 (6:42 pm)
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    I drive this a lot and I confess I am usually speeding.  But I am careful to brake at the right times and slow down as much as it feels necessary.  And I’ve driven it a lot on tires that probably aren’t in good shape.  I’m not a physicist or data scientist but it’s my extremely humble opinion that speeding and poor driving skills is the problem here.

    • Kyle December 14, 2025 (8:53 pm)
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      And the abrupt difference in pavement. 

  • Jeremy December 14, 2025 (7:28 pm)
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    Oil, leaves, water, and speed. Possibly overinflated tires.

  • WSEnvionmentalist December 14, 2025 (8:34 pm)
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    It’s the pavement.  After the WS Bridge was closed due to lack of comprehensive inspections.  When we finally hired a good inspector we were advised that the cracks would cause imminent collapse,  SDOT was under extreme pressure to reopen the bridge as fast as possible.  For those not living is West Seattle durning the bridge closure you cannot not understand how isolated we were without the bridge connection.  It was prolonged by the bridge contractor who tried to convince SDOT to build a new bridge over a Superfund site – a project that  would have taken approximately 10 years and would never have been approved by the Fed EPA, State EPA nor Gov Insley.  So, the contractor cut corners, including the repaving, and now, the Bridge is a danger zone.  For all of you newbies,  SDOT almost always goes with the lowest bidder and has had many mishaps, ie, The Hwy 99 Tunnel (Big Bertha) and the I 90 Bridge (sunk on live TV on a Sunday morning in 1986 by a totally inept and clueless contractor).  The WS Bridge needs to be repaved with groves due to 1) slickness, 2) moisture and 3) downhill then uphill with a big curve.  The design from 1984 was bad then and made worse by the repairs.While we’re at it, what is the plan for crossing the Duwamish with Light Rail?  The river is tidal with shifting silt in the river bottom thus a tunnel will be tough.  The river bed is still and will likely always be a Superfund site so building a bridge structure will disrupt the mitigation the Fed did for removing heavy metals then burying the river bed with  non-toxic soils.  Light Rail would be a wonderful asset to West Seattle but not a the cost of poisoning all of us.  

    • bill December 14, 2025 (9:51 pm)
      Reply

      Newbies should know what WSEvnionmentalist [sic] wrote is wrong or exaggerated. If they were in touch with events they would know a bridge has long been planned for Light Rail to cross the Duwamish. 

  • Kevin December 14, 2025 (9:53 pm)
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    I drive a motorcycle and a truck, and because of that try to be really hyper aware of road conditions.  I have fishtailed in this exact spot driving a new (To me) 2017 Tacoma  with brand new all season tires when the road was wet and going maybe 5 miles over the  speed limit, but just attributed it to the truck being really light when its not loaded up.  When the roads are wet,  this truck also loses traction  at several steep spots in Beacon hill  ( like Columbian Way and Spokane st, or coming up Lucille over the train tracks from Georgetown)   When you look at the concrete on this section of the bridge though,  it is worn smooth  down to the aggregate (rocks) in such a way which  that it actually looks ‘shiny’ on a sunny day.  Coming up the hill, its right after the newer grooved section of the bridge, so I think the traction does change significantly and combined with the slight curve maybe it just throws people off, probably more so I’d imagine  if you don’t drive it everyday.  I’ve driven this section of the bridge daily for years in previously  cars my wife and I have owned and never noticed our cars slip on this section.  On that note…over the past year, I’ve driven past 3 vehicles that left the road at this spot: two of them were pickups, one was an  SUV.   I am curious as to whether anyone else has noticed the same type of thing?  Not sure if i can post external links here, but If I can, check it out on here Google Streetview, or just pay attention the next time you drive as to how shiney the pavement is in the tire track areas.  https://www.google.com/maps/@47.569984,-122.3728663,3a,90y,193.31h,78.55t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSOLTF626_9givFJJW3Tnnw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D11.453848622154084%26panoid%3DSOLTF626_9givFJJW3Tnnw%26yaw%3D193.30629506624012!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

    • B December 14, 2025 (10:43 pm)
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      It’s not just the different surfaces and the curve that affects traction either.  There is a dip in the road just as the pavement surface changes.  When you come out of that dip the front end of the vehicle is going to rise up which will remove weight off of the front end for a short period.  Less weight on the front end equals less traction for the front tires.  Once a vehicle loses traction and starts to slide, it can be very difficult to recover.  The dip may be more or less noticeable depending on the stiffness of your suspension.

      • PGK December 15, 2025 (8:38 am)
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        You got it right

  • TomD December 15, 2025 (5:16 am)
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  • KT December 15, 2025 (6:19 am)
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    I have driven thst bridge for 30 years and never had an issue.  I drive the speedlimit and don’t use my phone while operating the car.

  • Andrew December 15, 2025 (7:01 am)
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    Rear-wheel drive vehicles mainly? On slick concrete, so I’m still blaming the concrete.My “VSC” (vehicle stability control) kicks in regularly on this corner, when wet. It’s a rear wheel drive SUV with good tires. VSC is great…. the feature automatically reduces engine power, applies breaking to certain wheels and prevents fishtailing.

  • K December 15, 2025 (7:24 am)
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    Ugh. Not another pizza place! Remember when this used to be a Pak N Save?

  • PGK December 15, 2025 (8:36 am)
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    I’ve looked at this a lot and there are four things at play. 1. That curve is almost flat with no banking which throws you to the outside of it2. Right where the curve is its sharpest there’s a transition in pavement material. You go to grooved (new) concrete to asphalt with exposed aggregate so it does become slick right where you don’t want it to3. There’s also a bump at that transition point which causes your suspension to compress and rebound which removes traction when you need it most4. If you are in a rear wheel drive car (like that 4Runner), that makes it 10x worse.The best way to make that corner is to not go over the posted speed limit. It’s super dangerous at higher speeds. Just look at the barriers and how crooked they are from getting hit all the time.

  • Dp December 15, 2025 (9:50 am)
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    The problem is PEOPLE NEED TO SLOW DOWN!!!!!!!

  • HilariouslyEntertained December 15, 2025 (10:40 am)
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    Everyone here nust be retired or not have any hobbies. Speeding sucks, but they need to fix the road. Also should have built a new bridge instead if the “repairs” that are already falling apart. I have to go back to work now u till my next bathroom break.

  • LPM December 15, 2025 (11:27 am)
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    First, there are traffic cameras.  Next time it happens, look at the vehicle driving and see if they are going too fast.  Second, put a speed bump right where it transitions.  Problem solved.That is all.

    • WSB December 15, 2025 (12:08 pm)
      Reply

      The traffic camera on that section of the bridge hasn’t worked in years.

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