UPDATE: Truck driver hits barrier, jackknifes on eastbound West Seattle Bridge

12:26 PM: “It’s going to be here for a while.” That’s one police officer’s assessment of that truck/trailer, wrapped around the barrier where the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, NB 99 offramp, and 1st Avenue S. onramp meet. It’s slowing but not blocking traffic at the moment, as they strategize what kind of tow crew it’s going to take to clear it. The trailer is empty, police told dispatch; no SFD dispatch so far, so apparently no serious injuries.

12:35 PM: The scene has widened a bit and traffic is moving more slowly past the scene, which police are warning “is going to e a long-term closure.”

1:29 PM: Not cleared yet and the response has expanded, so traffic past the scene is more sluggish, as the updated traffic-cam screenshot (from a few minutes ago) shows.

1:49 PM: All eastbound traffic is now being stopped, police just told dispatch.

2:01 PM: Traffic’s moving again, though the scene has not yet cleared.

2:11 PM: And now it has, with “traffic flowing as normal,” officers radioed.

Wendell April 14, 2026 (12:37 pm)

When there’s a fork in the road, take it.

Eric1 April 14, 2026 (12:55 pm)

That is not what I imagined. I was thinking a lot of jersey barriers strewn about like a 2year old upended the Lego bin. This took some talent to get gored on the gore point. Maybe that should have been the title. “Semi gored by point, eastbound West Seattle Bridge. No injuries reported.”

Dawn April 14, 2026 (1:57 pm)

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Same here, but I reconsidered and came to the conclusion that it’s just on me. The headline is accurate. My mind went to that dark place on its own lol (and would’ve had the headline instead declared the semi was “gored”).

WSRob April 14, 2026 (1:02 pm)

Driver background as soon as it’s know please.

WSB April 14, 2026 (1:39 pm)

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Won’t likely get any unless they were arrested for something (haven’t heard any indication of that but will be asking later). No SFD response and that would usually yield age.
- Localgirl April 14, 2026 (1:54 pm)
  
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  Any info would be nice. State were truck was registered? Independent trucker? Any cargo manifest to indicate origin or destination?
  - WS Person April 14, 2026 (2:16 pm)
    
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    Curious why you care about any of that info???
    - WSzombie April 14, 2026 (6:12 pm)
      
      Probably for the same reason I care. Washington “accidentally” issued 685 Commercial Drivers Licenses to non-citizens who shouldn’t have received one. Many of these people then went on to get licenses in other states. In 2025, at least 30 people died in 17 crashes caused by non-domiciled drivers, according to the DOT. Regulators added that at least 30 states have issued commercial driver’s licenses to drivers deemed ineligible. In addition to ensuring the safety and legality of the driver, the shipping companies are also culpable for ensuring drivers are legal to drive commercial vehicles. Not only verifying drivers they hire are license, but also overseeing the adherence to laws such as driving hours in a 24 hour period. I saw this accident happen when I was on my way to Costco this morning. The pictures don’t do it justice. I could be wrong, but I don’t think the truck “jack-knifed”. It appeared that the truck tried to switch lanes and the safety barrier pushed the truck the opposite direction of the trailer. In other words, the truck tried to make an illegal exit onto 1st Ave and hit the barrier.
    - Derp April 14, 2026 (10:56 pm)
      
      You have a pretty active imagination. Why not wait and hear what the issue was before you convict the driver. You don’t know anything about the person, but you sure are accusing them of everything. I thought in America you are innocent until proven guilty.
    - K April 15, 2026 (5:46 am)
      
      Citizenship has nothing to do with driver safety. US citizens are capable of driving unsafely too.
    - IDC9 April 14, 2026 (7:45 pm)
      
      I can’t and won’t speak for WSRob, but I would like to know whether the truck driver was licensed, insured, and sober.

Just wondering April 14, 2026 (1:10 pm)

Talk about a jack knife!

Jake April 14, 2026 (1:57 pm)

There was a big accident at the SB I-5 exit that caused major delay this morning too. SLOW DOWN people. It’s raining.

Odd son April 14, 2026 (6:07 pm)

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Gentle reminder for drivers to turn on your headlights when it’s raining. Make sure they are on at night too.

Susan April 14, 2026 (2:18 pm)

Taking the C Line into town. Traffic is back to normal.

WSB April 15, 2026 (9:38 am)

For those interested in detailed information – as with almost all collisions, the reports are not ready for quite some time. SPD did send me the dispatch notes. Only things of interest:
-the truck had a valid WA license
-the driver will get some kind of citation re: cell phone use