Someone driving struck and killed a 63-year-old man on a motorcycle at the east finish of the Spokane Street Bridge to West Seattle Friday night. The suspect then fled the scene in a white or silver sedan.
Our deepest condolences to this man’s family and friends.
Seattle Times reporter and West Seattle resident Mike Lindblom was at the horrible scene shortly after it occurred and posted a photograph (Caution: It just isn’t graphic, however should be troubling to view). The person on the bike ended up simply east of the crosswalk to the east of eleventh Ave SW, a commonly-used route for folks biking from the Spokane Street Bridge bike path to the bike path that connects to E Marginal Way. SPD has since confirmed that the suspect was driving eastbound.
Though the precise circumstances of the collision aren’t but clear, the crosswalk serves as the shorter choice for folks on bikes crossing the Duwamish River. There can be a winding path that loops round and underneath the Spokane Street Bridge, avoiding the road crossing but additionally taking additional time. Both choices are standard alongside this heavily-used bike route.
Google Street View occurs to point out somebody on a motorcycle utilizing the crosswalk.
“Tragic news,” wrote Seattle Neighborhood Greenways on Twitter. “Our hearts break for this person and their loved ones. This is the key bike route connecting West Seattle to the rest of the city, and must be safe for everyone.”
“Sincere condolences to friends and family of the person killed biking on the West Seattle bridge trail this evening,” Cascade Bicycle Club wrote. “As people who bike, we’re in this together. This is a gut punch to anyone who bikes in the city.”
More particulars from SPD:
Detectives are investigating after the driver in successful and run collision struck and killed a person using a compact electrical bicycle Friday night near the Spokane Street Bridge.
At 6:55 p.m., police and firefighters responded to Southwest Spokane Street and Klickitat Avenue Southwest for a collision. According to witnesses, the driver of a white or silver sedan touring eastbound on Southwest Spokane Street struck a bicyclist that was crossing the highway. The driver then continued eastbound and fled the scene.
SFD medics tried life-saving measures on the bicyclist, however the 63-year-old-man was declared deceased at the scene.
Detectives with SPD’s Traffic Collision Investigation Squad responded to course of the scene and start their investigation. They are asking anybody with details about this collision to name the Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.