EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with a dash cam video as well as new information.
A wrong-way driver caused a 3-car collision on SR 509 at 136th Street in Burien on Friday night, July 19, 2024, resulting in six people being hospitalized.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:55 p.m. Friday night, when a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes struck two other vehicles.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the first vehicle, driven by Karlon W. Brown, 47, of Kent, swerved and sideswiped the second vehicle before colliding head-on with the third vehicle. All three vehicles were totaled in the crash.
Brown, who is under investigation for DUI and vehicular assault, was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, along with the occupants of the other two vehicles.
The roadway was blocked for over five hours as emergency crews responded to the scene and conducted an investigation.
Video
Below is dashcam video showing the wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes on the 1st Ave Bridge shortly before causing the horrific collision, as posted to r/IdiotsInCars on Reddit:
No words… [OC]
byu/Zero_beta0675 inIdiotsInCars
Here are more details from Trooper Rick Johnson, Washington State Patrol Public Information Officer:
- Vehicle One: Traveling the wrong way, southbound in the northbound lanes
- Vehicle Two: Traveling northbound in the northbound lanes
- Vehicle Three: Traveling behind Vehicle Two in the northbound lanes
Sequence of Events:
- Vehicle One swerved and sideswiped Vehicle Two
- Vehicle One then swerved into the adjacent lane and back into the original lane
- Vehicle One collided head-on with Vehicle Three
Impact:
- All three vehicles were totaled
- Roadway was blocked for approximately five hours and ten minutes
Injuries:
- Six individuals transported to Harborview Medical Center
- Injuries ranged from minor to serious but non-fatal
Investigation:
- Driver of Vehicle One, Karlon W. Brown, is being investigated for DUI and vehicular assault
- Brown, along with all injured parties, was hospitalized
Authorities are investigating the incident, focusing on the driver’s suspected impairment as a contributing factor.