3-car collision claims 3 lives

MAT-SU — Three people were killed and two others hospitalized Saturday afternoon from a three-vehicle accident that closed both sides of the Glenn Highway for four hours.

Allan Chase Sr., 71, Sophia Chase, 68, and 16-year-old Melissa Pike, all of Anchorage, died after their 2002 blue Subaru Forester station wagon was sideswiped while traveling northbound on the Glenn Highway a mile north of the Parks Highway interchange, Alaska State Troopers report. A late-model Chevy extended cab pickup driven by Joshua Swigart, 26, of Anchorage, was heading southbound on the highway when it crossed over the center line and sideswiped the station wagon.

After being sideswiped, the station wagon, driven by Allan Chase, rotated about 45 degrees into another northbound traffic lane, where it was T-boned by a 2007 silver Toyota Camry.

Two people in the Camry, John Lavarnway, 61, who was driving, and Mary Lavarnway, 59, both of Wasilla, were injured and transported to area hospitals, troopers report. One was transported to Providence Hospital in Anchorage, the other to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. It was not reported which person was transported to which hospital, nor the extent of the injuries.

A standard toxicology test is being issued to Swigart, the driver of the first vehicle that crossed the center line, but troopers have no reason to believe alcohol or drugs contributed to the accident, said Megan Peters, AST spokesperson. Neither Swigart nor his passenger, Erin Guhl, 27, of Palmer reported any injuries.

Troopers are investigating the accident and no citations have been issued, Peters said.