Sub Pop exec dies in wake of 15th Ave. crash

Geeky Swedes Ballard

The horrible car accident at 15th Ave NW and NW 75th St. Thursday night has become a fatality. We have confirmed that Andy Kotowicz, one of the drivers involved in the crash, passed away early Sunday morning. Police say a Ford Fusion rear-ended the Subaru and pushed it underneath a truck. Kotowicz had to be extricated by firefighters. His four-year-old daughter, who was in the back seat, was rescued by a Good Samaritan. According to Susan Gregg-Hanson at Harborview Medical Center, she was treated and released the day after the crash.

Kyla Fairchild of No Depression was a friend of Andy’s. “He was a super guy,” she tells us. She says he was working at his dream job. Andy had been the Vice President of Sales and Director of Marketing at Sub Pop, where he worked for the last decade. Fairchild tells us that he recently moved back to Ballard with his wife and daughter.

“Andy was one of those people who oozed wisdom, warmth and kindness. He had a twinkle in his eye, a great sense of humor and every time we talked he had a fantastic new band to turn me on to.” Fairchild writes in a tribute to her friend. “He loved music as much or more than anyone I’ve met in (or out) of the music industry over the years. This is a reminder how quickly life can change and how important it is to tell the people around you how much they mean to you as often as you can. You never know when it will be the last time.”

Detective Mark Jamieson with the Seattle Police Department tells us that investigators are still working on what happened. “A complex collision investigation like this one can take months to complete,” Jamieson says. (Photo courtesy Kate Jackson of Sub Pop.)

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

21 thoughts to “Sub Pop exec dies in wake of 15th Ave. crash”

  1. I am so very sorry for his friends and family… What a tragic event and a horrible loss. Please know that you have the sympathy of so many of us here in Ballard.

  5. This is so terrible. I feel for all his family and friends, especially that little girl. Sub Pop is such a tight nit family. He will definintely be missed.

  6. I am sickened by this news. I couldn’t sleep that night, and now know why. RIP neighbor. I will never ever forget that spot, that day or your smile.

  7. I don’t know the details of the collision, but they had better prosecute the person at fault. Too often the police don’t feel compelled to help make a case in auto collisions, regardless of the outcome. They are “too busy”.

  10. really sad story…

    i hate to be negative but i can’t fathom what will “take months” to figure out here – its clear the “suspect” was speeding, that isn’t debatable. so was he intoxicated? having a seizure? not paying attention, via cell phone, texting, etc? what else could be relevant here?

  11. Witnesses reported (or so I have heard) that the person who caused the accident had been having a seizure.

    I’m sure there will be a thorough investigation.

  13. My condolences to the family. Is there anything that we can do as a community to help his wife and daughter through these rough times?

  15. I’m very sad to hear about Andy’s death. Sounds like he was a gem of a person. What a tragic loss! I, too, would love to find out how we might be able to help this family. They’ll be in our thoughts at the very least.

  16. It takes a while – the police don’t have nearly the powers you think. Let’s start with the seizures. Police need to verify that which means medical examinations. If the person doesn’t cooperate they need a court order (which takes time). Then there’s the issue of if the suspect knew they had a medical condition. If they did they could be prosecuted on more serious charges. To determine this the cops need to review the suspects medical records which requires a court order. It’s not like TV where the police pick up a phone and instantly get a warrant. Keep in mind our court system operates on the notion of innocent until PROVEN guilty. That means not only do they have to figure out what caused the crash but they also have to rule out every single other likely source (mechanical issues with the car, alcohol, etc.)

  17. I live ar0und the corner from where this accident happened and witnessed the immediate aftermath. I watched and prayed as they gave Mr. Kotowicz CPR. I was hoping he would make it. I’m very, very sorry for everyone concerned. I have been utterly haunted by this ever since it happened. My prayers go with the survivors and witnesses and family members and with the emergency workers, for whom I have even more admiration and appreciation than before. I have been miserable since this happened as a neighbor and witness. The emergency workers see this and respond to it every day. I wish peace and blessings to the family of Mr. Kotowicz. I hope that there is a fund established so that we neighbors can help somehow.

  18. Eblunt61, it is rarely the police who are “too busy” to “make the case” in auto collisions; that is why accident scenes are closed-off for hours after serious or fatal collisions- so that evidence gathering and documentation can occur, allowing the PROSECUTOR to “make the case”.

  20. I feel the same as Tickyree. I was no more than 30 feet from this accident when it happened and I watched the rescuers and then the investigation and finally the clean up from my home for hours. I can’t stop thinking about the victim’s wife and what she must be going through. I wish there was something I could do to offer my support.

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