5-car collision in Ballard hospitalizes 3 people

Posted on Oct 22, 2010

Story Highlights:
Three hospitalized in Ballard car accident
Five-car motor vehicle collision
15th Ave NW and NW 75th St intersection and surrounding area closed

Date: October 21, 2010, 10/21/2010
Location: Ballard, King County, Washington
Type: Motor Vehicle Accident
Outcome: 3 Hospitalized with life-threatening injuries

On Thursday evening around 6:15pm, three people, including a 4-year-old girl, were sent to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after being involved in a 5-car collision at an intersection in Ballard.

The collision was caused when a male driver (believed to be in his 40's) driving a black Ford Fusion sedan failed to stop at an intersection and struck a Subaru carrying a man in his 40's and a 4-year-old girl. The collision forced the Subaru into the rear of a white Dodge pick-up truck, who in turn collided with another Subaru and a Volvo.

The first Subaru caught fire with the man and little girl trapped inside. As people from the other cars used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out, a local store owner grabbed the girl from the burning car. Once the police and fire officials arrived they extricated the driver.

The suspect, also believed to be in his 40's, was taken to Harborview Medical Center along with the other two victims. The scene of the accident, 15th Ave NW and NW 75th St intersection, was closed for further investigation. The cause of the accident is still unknown.

Statistics of Car accidents involving Children

According to National Highway Traffic Safety, in 2009, there were a total of 33,808 traffic fatalities in the United States. The 14-and-younger age group accounted for 1,314 (4%) of those traffic fatalities, which is a 3-percent decrease from the 1,350 fatalities in 2008. In 2009, there were an additional 179,000 children age 14 and younger injured, which is a 7-percent decrease from the 193,000 children injured in 2008.

Washington State Intersection Law

The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to such sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and if required for safety to stop, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering a marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the roadway, and then after slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. To see more about Washington State intersection laws see RCW 46.61.190.

Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Seattle Car Accident Attorneys at Davis Law Group send out their thoughts and prayers to the victims of this terrible and preventable accident. We understand the devastation that can occur as a result of being in a serious auto accident and are committed to helping car accident, trucking accident, and motorcycle accident victims recover the just and fair compensation they are entitled to receive under the law.