Driver in Aurora Ave. crash hurt worse than thought
SEATTLE - The driver of an SUV involved in a two-vehicle collision Friday on Highway 99 at Mercer Street was hurt worse than it first appeared, his family said Saturday.
Phil Vanhollebeke, the SUV driver's son, said his father suffered a collapsed lung, a fractured rib, broken ankle and injuries to his back.
At first, it was thought he had suffered only scratches and bruises in the crash, in which a pickup headed north on Aurora Avenue crashed into the SUV.
After the impact, pickup jumped a three-foot guardrail and flew off the ramp and landed upside down on Broad Street some 30 feet below. Detectives believe excessive speed may have launched the pickup off of the ramp.
Amazingly, the driver of the pickup walked out on his own, officials said.
The SUV driver had to be cut free of the wreckage. He was then taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where his injuries were discovered.
He is expected to recover, but his convalescence will take longer than originally thought.
Phil Vanhollebeke, the SUV driver's son, said his father suffered a collapsed lung, a fractured rib, broken ankle and injuries to his back.
At first, it was thought he had suffered only scratches and bruises in the crash, in which a pickup headed north on Aurora Avenue crashed into the SUV.
After the impact, pickup jumped a three-foot guardrail and flew off the ramp and landed upside down on Broad Street some 30 feet below. Detectives believe excessive speed may have launched the pickup off of the ramp.
Amazingly, the driver of the pickup walked out on his own, officials said.
The SUV driver had to be cut free of the wreckage. He was then taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where his injuries were discovered.
He is expected to recover, but his convalescence will take longer than originally thought.