Accident closes Palmer-Wasilla Hwy.

WASILLA — A pickup hit a school bus, with no children on board, about 1:30 p.m. Thursday on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway near Hyer Road.

The driver of the bus, Star Theodore, was shaken up but apparently not injured, said John Ace, safety manager of First Student bus company, who was at the scene and had talked to Theodore.

The driver of the pickup was removed from the wreckage by emergency personnel using power tools and hydraulic rescue equipment. The driver, Jeremiah Sheppard, 22, of Wasilla, was lifted onto a stretcher and taken to an ambulance. The extent of his injuries weren’t immediately released.

The pickup had crossed the center line of the highway, hitting the bus nearly head-on. Both vehicles collided at their left corners, responders at the scene reported. No skid marks were on the highway behind the pickup, suggesting the driver was distracted at the time of the collision.

The collision caused both lanes of the highway to be closed for about 45 minutes, AST spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said. The eastbound lane, she said, was opened about 2:15 p.m. and the westbound lane about 2:25.

Damage to the bus was estimated at $6,000. Sheppard's pickup was totaled. He was cited for failure to exercise due care to avoid an accident.

—T.C. Mitchell