West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
7:10 AM: SPD and SFD are on the north shore of Lincoln Park for what’s described as a vehicle in the water – but they have deduced that no one is in the vehicle, nor in the water nearby. One texter describes the vehicle as a “white SUV” (added: and says it’s actually on the beach, not submerged). We’re on our way to find out more.
7:32 AM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo. Our photographer, walking into the park from the Lowman Beach end, has talked with one officer at the park who says a tow crew is on the way. The tide is receding; next low tide is at 11:31 am. (added) The next photo, sent by Greg Dirks, shows where on the north shore this happened:
7:48 AM: Unlike last weekend’s car-in-water off Alki, this one is getting towed out quickly – our photographer has arrived and says they’re there now.
Police tell us they don’t know yet whether the vehicle (described as a GMC Acadia) is stolen and they also haven’t figured out which way it was driven there, from the south entrance or north entrance – we’re looking and don’t see any obvious tracks or damage hinting at that.
ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: Stephen Nielsen sent this photo of the SUV after it was pulled off the beach.
We hope to be able to find out Monday if police ever confirmed whether the SUV was stolen.
ADDED MONDAY: Police told us today they were unable to confirm whether it was stolen – at least, it hadn’t been reported stolen before turning up in the park. The incident summary says it was registered to someone in Kent: “Kent Police attempted to speak with the registered owner but were unable to reach him by phone.”
10:59 PM: Seattle Fire has a “rescue extrication” response arriving at The Mount (4831 35th SW) after a report of a vehicle over an embankment. First arriving unit reports “vehicle over a small wall.” Updates to come.
(Added: Photo by Kevin Freitas)
11:04 PM: Firefighters told dispatch they got the driver out safely. The response is being downsized.
ADDED SUNDAY: SFD confirms the driver, who they say was an “adult female,” was not hurt.
12:16 AM: 911 is reporting multiple calls about a car into the water off the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW [map]. Police are just arriving and SFD is on the way. A person is reported to be “standing atop the sinking vehicle.” Updates to come.
12:25 AM: So far responders on scene say it appears the driver was alone in the car and is indeed out. This is now said to be in the 1100 block of Alki. Police are blocking off the street both ways in that area.
12:31 AM: Firefighters have reported one person “extricated” and we’re not sure if that’s a reference to the driver or another person.
12:47 AM: Both SFD and SPD say just one person was rescued, the driver, who is reported to have only minor injuries. (Added: SFD says the driver is a man in his early 20s.)
12:52 AM: Police told dispatch they’re reopening Alki Avenue both ways.
ADDED 10:40 AM: Thanks to Janna for sending this video – the car is still submerged:
She says it’s a Nissan Versa. High tide was just over an hour ago; the next low tide is -0.2 at 4:41 pm.
12:06 PM: Charlotte Starck of the Alki Community Council reports city Park Rangers are at the scene.
(added) Another photo from Charlotte shows an apparent tire track, and a perspective of the scene, west of Luna/Anchor Park:
2:34 PM: Just heard over police radio … “The car … is now beached.” A texter sent this photo:
9:29 PM: Still there at sunset – Bob Spears sent this photo:
10:30 AM SUNDAY: Just pulled out – followup here.
9:02 AM: Seattle Police and Fire are responding to a “scenes of violence” call on Belvidere in the Fairmount Ravine area. Details to come.
9:09 AM: The address logged for this call is one to which emergency responders have been called multiple times before, including “person in crisis” situations.
(Added: Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
SFD responders were “staging” – waiting – nearby until police arrived, which dispatch has been told has just happened, so soon they should be able to verify what’s happening. “The initial report was that two people may have been stabbed,” is what SPD just told dispatch that they had heard from SFD, and now they’re going in to see whether that’s true.
9:19 AM: One person needs medical treatment, dispatch has just been told, “but no one’s stabbed.” So most of the response is being canceled.
9:25 AM: Our crew has just arrived and confirmed with SFD on scene that this was a false report of stabbings but one person does need treatment for “minor injuries.”
2:02 PM Here’s what we’ve found out about the major emergency response at Southwest Athletic Complex/Teen Life Center. It was dispatched as a self-inflicted gunshot wound that happened at an undetermined location, with the victim showing up at the Teen Life Center. We are at the scene – more information as we get it.
2:11 PM: The center and adjacent Southwest Pool are closed because of the investigation. We’re still awaiting information at the scene. As noted in comments, the two schools across the street – Chief Sealth IHS and Denny IMS – are sheltering in place.
2:25 PM: From police radio – the schools wondered if they need to keep sheltering in place; police responded that the issue right now is that there is still an “outstanding firearm.”
2:39 PM: Per police radio, Denny will dismiss on time but they’re going to attempt to keep students away from the area where the investigation continues. (Added: A parent tells us the school also has messaged families that afterschool activities are canceled.) Meantime, Police Chief Adrian Diaz is there.
2:51 PM: We’re told Chief Diaz will brief us soon.
3:03 PM: The chief says the victim has died and that police are still investigating the circumstances of the shooting. When emergency responders arrived, they found the victim in a restroom at the center. He confirmed that they are still looking for the gun. SFD says the victim was a 14-year-old boy.
3:55 PM: Here’s our video of everything Chief Diaz said:
5:30 PM: Still a significant police presence at the center/pool/SWAC area.
6:28 PM: A message to Chief Sealth and Denny families says the 14-year-old was a CSIHS student. The message also says SPD “is investigating and working with the district’s Safety and Security team. Both schools will be open tomorrow. Students will see an increased presence of police and school security staff at and around their campuses.”
1:35 PM WEDNESDAY: We asked SPD several followup questions, including whether the gun had been found. The reply: “No new information as of yet.”
7 PM: Seattle Fire has a water-rescue response in the 2700 block of Alki Avenue SW for a report of a car in the water. Updates to come.
7:04 PM: This may be unfounded – police are reporting “it’s people swimming in the water …four people swimming with a light and a little red buoy.” Responders are doublechecking to be sure.
7:07 PM: They’ve confirmed, it’s just swimmers “who swim every night.” Most of the responders are being cancelled.
7:10 PM: They’ve scanned the area with an infrared camera and are certain this is unfounded – no one’s in distress, no car.
8:57 PM: Thanks to Cami MacNamara for sharing this video showing the swimmers and the rest of the scene:
6:54 AM: Police and fire are arriving at an apartment complex in the 5900 block of Delridge Way SW, after a report of a man with a gunshot wound to the leg.
7:08 AM: Police describe the wound as non-life-threatening. The Delridge/Juneau traffic camera shows the response (on the Juneau side of the complex). No word so far on circumstances.
7:28 AM: Listening back to the recording of the original dispatch, police were told the victim said he opened his door and was shot by someone he knows; the only descriptive information he gave initially was “white male, 5’10”.”
7:35 AM: We went to the area to try to find out more; the response at the complex is down to one (unoccupied) police car.
7:40 AM: The search has moved to the Delridge P-Patch a few blocks north [map], and that’s where police are right now. Police confirm they know who they are looking for but aren’t commenting further.
10:16 AM: SFD says the victim is a 55-year-old man who was in stable condition when taken to the hospital via private ambulance.
7:55 PM: Thanks for the tips. Emergency responders are arriving at the scene of what texters describe as a car-on-side crash on Admiral Way, at/near the Schmitz Park bridge. So far dispatchers have reported only minor injuries. No images yet, but one texter says, “The car is wedged in some trees very oddly, almost flipped over. I can’t imagine how it ended up that way.” … The response is reported to be blocking the eastbound lanes.
8:47 PM: Thanks to Tony Tschanz for the photo of the tow crew hauling it out. SFD closed out its response fairly quickly, reinforcing the initial assessment of “minor injuries”; we’ll follow up to be sure.
3:51 PM: Seattle Fire has sent a “scenes of violence” response to The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW) for what was initially dispatched as a report of a man in the parking garage, “stabbed with scissors.” We’re waiting to hear what responders have found.
3:59 PM: Firefighters waiting for the green light to go in have just been told by dispatch that SPD hasn’t found the reported victim yet.
4:03 PM: SFD has reduced the response; it still has units standing by at nearby Station 32 in case they’re needed.
4:10 PM: “No patient found,” so the response is being canceled.
1:17 AM: SFD and SPD are at 26th/Barton to investigate what dispatch said was a stabbing called in by King County Sheriff’s Deputies – a 30-year-old man with an upper-arm stab wound.
1:14 AM: The victim is reported to be aboard a C-Line bus, though we don’t know if the stabbing happened on the bus. The attacker was first reported to be at a bus shelter but hasn’t been found so far; he was last reported walking eastbound. The victim’s injuries are described as not life-threatening.
1:31 AM: Police just told dispatch that they’ve determined the stabbing happened off the bus.
1:42 AM: They’ll be searching with a King County Sheriff’s Office K-9 that’s been called in from the Eastside. … The man they’re looking for is described as Black, 6’l, medium build, half-inch beard “with a little gray in it,” gray beanie, shoulder bag, dark sweatpants.
5:37 PM: Thanks for the tip. A police and fire response in the 1700 block of Alki Avenue has the street blocked. We’re working to find out what’s happening.
5:46 PM: The initial dispatch was for what responders were told was a “vehicle vs. pedestrian collision.” … We don’t know the pedestrian’s condition, but the SFD medic unit was dispatched without transporting, which can mean injuries weren’t life-threatening.
6 PM: All SFD units have cleared the scene.
6:13 PM: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells us the pedestrian, a man in his mid-50s, had minor injuries and was taken to a hospital by private ambulance.
4:04 PM: Seattle Fire has a “water rescue response” headed to Lincoln Park for a report of a possible paddleboarder in trouble off the north side of the park. Updates to come.
4:07 PM: Responders say they’re seeing two kitesurfers off shore who do not appear to be in distress.
4:13 PM: SFD and Coast Guard boats are arriving in the area to doublecheck, but so far there continue to be no sign of anyone in trouble, and the two kitesurfers who are visible are coming in to shore at Lowman Beach.
4:19 PM: Responders have verified that the kitesurfers are OK and no one else was out on the water, so the response is now being canceled.
12:27 AM: Big emergency response near the Admiral Way Bridge for a car crash. It was initially dispatched as a “rescue extrication” but responders then reported finding no one in or near the car – so far.
12:32 AM: The location of the crash is logged as 39th/Admiral but one crew has told dispatch they’re actually on Fairmount, so we’re not clear whether they’re on or below the bridge. Dispatch has checked the plate of the crashed Acura and told police it’s “clear and current” to someone in the Pierce County town of Milton.
12:48 AM: Per commenter RS, “The crash is just south of the Admiral bridge on Fairmount. Car is on its side on the east side of the road. You can see it from the Admiral bridge.” Responders searched all around but didn’t find anyone, so SFD has closed out its part of the call.
1:12 PM: Thanks for the photos. Seattle Fire and Police are on the scene of a car-on-side crash in the 1300 block of Alki Avenue SW.
1:16 PM: SFD says firefighters have extricated one person from the crashed car.
1:24 PM: Firefighters just told dispatch that one person is going to the hospital by private ambulance, which indicates injuries are not life-threatening.
1:35 PM: We’ve confirmed at the scene that the driver, a woman, was transported. One lane of traffic has just reopened at the scene. … Two parked vehicles were damaged – one hit by the driver and pushed into the other one.
4:05 PM: SFD tells us the 77-year-old driver was in stable condition when she was taken to the hospital.
10:44 AM: Seattle Fire has sent a “rescue extrication” response to the 5600 block of California SW [map]. It’s reported to be a crash involving at least one flipped vehicle. Updates to come.
10:49 AM: Arriving crews report that the vehicle is on its side with the driver trapped. California will be fully blocked in the area.
(Added: Photo posted by commenter Corprew)
10:58 AM: SFD reports they’ve gotten the driver out safely.
11:08 AM: Police just told dispatch they’re going to get traffic going again by reopening the southbound and center lanes.
2:42 PM: We followed up with SFD; the driver was not hurt and did not require treatment or transport.
ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: SPD tells us today that the driver was arrested for investigation of DUI.
6:31 PM: A man riding a bicycle is seriously hurt after a driver hit him near Marine View Drive and 46th SW just after 6 pm, according to what firefighters are telling doctors at Harborview via radio. The man is described as about 40 years old and will be taken to the hospital.
6:34 PM: Police are on scene and investigating; they told dispatch that the rider’s injuries are life-threatening. We don’t know the driver’s status; we’re going to the scene to try to find out.
7:32 PM: The scene had cleared by the time we got there. We have an inquiry out with SFD regarding the victim but might not be able to learn more about the investigation before tomorrow morning.
7:50 PM: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells WSB the victim is actually in his mid-60s and was assessed as being in critical condition when transported.
ADDED FRIDAY, 3:41 PM: We finally have confirmation of what a commenter posted last night – that the rider did not survive. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office daily list of death investigations identifies him as 66-year-old Steven Hulsman.
10:11 PM: If you’ve noticed the lights and sirens at Terminal 5, Seattle Fire has sent a hazmat response to a reported spill. It was initially described as either salt or a salt-like material, in powder form; they’re still assessing the situation. They’re telling dispatch that it’s happening aboard the ship currently at T-5, which MarineTraffic.com shows is container ship MSC Dakar X.
10:27 PM: Some of the substance was described as having been spilled on the dock too. But no injuries have been reported, and SFD is dismissing most of the responders.
12:38 PM: SFD has a hazmat response at the Arrowhead Gardens senior-living complex in southeast West Seattle right now. According to the dispatch, they’re checking out “white powder” found in a hallway, possibly related to a dispute between neighbors; police have responded too. No reports of injuries.
1:32 PM: All but two SFD units have been dismissed.
1:52 PM: SFD says that “the substance was determined (to be) not hazardous” and everyone’s been cleared.
Overdose responses are sadly not rare. Those with multiple patients are. That’s what brought the sizable Seattle Fire response to Roxhill Park this past half-hour. According to SFD radio communication, a woman and man, both 33 years old, were found “unconscious and unresponsive” after “suspected opiate overdoses.” They were able to revive her, and thought that – after many efforts including 10+ rounds of CPR – they had revived him, but he’s just been declared dead. The woman, meantime, will be taken to a hospital.
12:01 PM: Thanks for the tips. The westbound Fauntleroy Way end of the West Seattle Bridge is blocked right now for an emergency response because of a crash.
12:09 PM: The outside westbound lane is open again; the other westbound. lanes remain blocked while officers await both tow and cleanup crews.
12:21 PM: Since we missed the initial dispatch on this while away from the desk, we just went to the scene to ask about the circumstances. We’re told the driver who caused the crash was having a medical emergency and is being taken to a hospital.
12:27 PM: A tow truck has just removed that car (the white one).
12:41 PM: The scene is clear. We’re following up with SFD on the transported driver’s condition.
1:53 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says they treated a 45-year-old woman at the scene – she did not require hospitalization – along with the 35-year-old man who was taken to Harborview. We just got a call from someone who said he’s the latter driver, explaining he suffered a seizure but will be OK.
11:36 PM: Police and fire are arriving on the Admiral Way hill north of the bridge for a reported two-car head-on collision. One person is reported trapped in one of the cars. Avoid the area. The Admiral exit from the westbound bridge is being blocked off in addition to traffic on the hill, both ways.
11:44 PM: The trapped person has been extricated, firefighters told dispatch.
12:12 AM: Police have just described the crash as fatal. (The person who was extricated had been originally described as a woman, unresponsive.) The investigation will likely mean the street will remain closed for a few hours.
1:07 AM: No visual because the scene is inaccessible with the hill blocked off, but the two vehicles were described by police as a silver Camaro – the victim was reported to be in that car – and a blue Toyota 4Runner. No further details from police so far on how many people were in the vehicles; we’re asking SFD whether anyone who survived the crash was treated for injuries.
1:45 AM: Police have just told dispatch that Admiral is reopening, both ways.
7:51 AM SFD says a 34-year-old man was taken to the hospital, in stable condition.
(Added: Photo posted by Jesse in comments)
8:05 AM: Here’s what SPD just posted:
Witnesses called 911 for a head on collision involving two vehicles late Saturday evening.
Police arrived around 11:30 p.m. near the intersection of Southwest Admiral Way and Southwest City View Street and found the two vehicles in the southbound lanes.
The female driver of the silver Camaro was reported to be driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Southwest Admiral Street when she lost control. The Camaro travelled into the opposite lanes of traffic colliding head on with a blue Toyota 4Runner traveling southbound.
Seattle Fire responded and assisted in removing the 23-year-old female driver from her vehicle. SFD provided life-saving measures, but the female driver succumbed to her injuries sustained from the collision at the scene.
The 34-year-old male driver of the 4Runner sustained non-life-threatening injuries. SFD transported him to Harborview Medical Center for further medical treatment.
TCIS will be lead in the investigation of this case.
12:45 PM: We don’t know the name of the woman who died, but we’ve just received word that the man who survived is a local chef and that friends are crowdfunding for his recovery, which is expected to last months. Candice sent us this note:
The victim of the car crash on Admiral last night was Nick Chiaro, a chef at Driftwood restaurant on Alki. As his friend & coworker, my fiance has set up a GoFundMe for his recovery.
9:18 PM: Avoid the area of 37th/100th in Arbor Heights for a while – a driver hit a house and a natural-gas leak is reported to have resulted. Police have blocked off 37th. They are telling dispatch it’s a hit-and-run – the driver subsequently took off. So far the vehicle is described only as “a white minivan.”
9:21 PM: The gas leak is blamed on damage to the gas meter. Puget Sound Energy is reported to be on the way. No injuries reported so far.
9:27 PM: This wasn’t found to be a major leak, so the SFD response has downsized.
9:34 PM: Police have just told dispatch that the gas is shut off, so the streets are reopening. No further info on the hit-run driver.
12:23 AM: Jeremy, whose home and yard were damaged, sent photos: “What a mess. The driver went through a tree, a fence, two planters, lawn furniture and breaking the gas meter off the main before actually hitting the wall of the house.”
4:03 PM: SFD, SPD, and the U.S. Coast Guard are all reported to be on the way to check into reports of a windsurfer in trouble 50 to 100 yards off Lowman Beach/north Lincoln Park. The windsurfer is reported to have been having trouble getting back up on their board.
4:11 PM: Police have been scanning the water from land and told dispatch they see windsurfers – including one with a blue-green sail as the 911 caller described – but none appear to be in distress. A USCG boat has arrived in the area and will check further.
4:18 PM: The SPD and SFD units on land are ending their response, concluding that there’s no sign of trouble, while the USCG unit verifies with the windsurfer if they indeed are not in need of assistance.
| 24 COMMENTS