1 dead in head-on crash

MAT-SU -- One person died and another is hospitalized after a two-truck, head-on collision Sunday at Mile 8.9 Knik-Goose Bay Road.

George Newsham, 49, of Anchorage, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the 7:01 a.m. crash. Passenger Marianne Beckham, 50, of Anchorage, was taken by Life Guard helicopter to Providence Alaska Medical Center where she remained in fair condition Monday. Beckham had to be extricated from the back seat of a 1991 Toyota truck driven by Lloyd Helms, 27, of Anchorage. Newsham also was a passenger in Helms' truck.

Emory Evern, 27, of Anchorage, was the sole occupant of the other truck, a 1992 Ford pickup. He and Helms were taken to Valley Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Alaska State Troopers said.

Evern had been drinking before the collision, troopers said. Troopers from Palmer and Big Lake offices responded to the incident.