A 70-year-old man died Monday evening after his vehicle crossed the centerline and collided head-on with another car in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood.
The crash occurred around 6:15 p.m. in the 2800 block of Thorndyke Avenue West when the man’s red Toyota traveled southbound before crossing into oncoming traffic and striking a gray Jeep driven by a 25-year-old woman. Seattle Fire Department medics responded and provided aid to both drivers, but despite lifesaving efforts, the older driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The female driver sustained minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene by paramedics. Seattle police confirmed that a Drug Recognition Expert evaluated her and found no signs of impairment, eliminating alcohol or drug use as factors in the collision.
The investigation has not yet determined what caused the male driver to cross the centerline into oncoming traffic. Seattle police continue examining the circumstances that led to the fatal accident, including potential factors such as road conditions, vehicle mechanical issues, or medical events.
The crash prompted extended road closures that affected evening traffic throughout the Magnolia area. Seattle transportation officials estimated the closures would impact the area for several hours as investigators documented the scene and cleared debris from the roadway.
Thorndyke Avenue West serves as a major arterial connecting Magnolia to other parts of Seattle, carrying significant traffic volume through the neighborhood. The road’s role as both a neighborhood street and regional connector means accidents can significantly affect local mobility and emergency response access.
The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case and working to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the fatal collision. The investigation remains open and ongoing, with police asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact TCIS at 206-684-8923.
The fatal accident highlights ongoing traffic safety considerations for roads that serve dual purposes as neighborhood streets and commuter routes throughout Seattle’s residential areas.
